Expanding The King Street Firehouse In Chappaqua

CHAPPAQUA, NY — The commissioners of New Castle Fire District No. 1 are taking a second run at expanding the firehouse onto 495 King St. A plan to add on three bays is on the agenda for Thursday night's meeting.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the Bedford Road Firehouse in Chappaqua.

The chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Erik Nicolaysen, described some of the detailsto Martin Wilbur of The Examiner. Making the facility drive-through would mean trucks don't need to back in. There would be room for an equipment decontamination washer. Under discussion: whether to build a second floor and whether the fire department will need a larger aerial ladder truck when it replaces its current, aging truck.

In 2016, the board's proposal to buy the old animal hospital at 495 King St. for $2.7 million and build a new $12.7 million firehouse was resoundingly defeated by voters. The Fire Commissioners wanted to expand the King Street firehouse by 16,500 square feet.

In 2017, the board went back to residents, just asking them to OK buying the land and demolish it. Voters said yes.

SEE ALSO:

• New Castle Voters Reject Fire District Expansion Plans
• New Castle Fire Commissioners Seek $15M Chappaqua Firehouse Expansion