Do We Need the Waldorf Astoria of Firehouses?

On Tuesday, March 8, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. we as a collective group have the opportunity to vote NO--not just yet--against the proposal to build a new $20 million-plus complex in place of the existing headquarters on East Deer Park Avenue just north of the Northern State Parkway.

We are just repeating history ladies and gents. Read some of the same abuses that were reported on in 2005. Not much time left.  Get the word out.  Let’s get going or the friends and family of the fire dept will have their Waldorf Astoria of firehouses with you writing the check.

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/complete-coverage-fire-alarm-1.1532062

With article after article of unions being forced to give back, teachers and budgets being cut and residents of our community stressed under the current economic conditions, our fire department line item tax on your bill will go up 30 to 35 percent of your assessed value so they can have their trophy house.

When was the last time a fire district on Long Island was audited?  How many residents - other than the friends and family of firefighters - actually vote in fire district elections? That is their intention.  Three-hour vote, no absenteeism ballots: Can they stack the deck anymore?

They don't want you to know. They don't want you to ask. They don't want you to look. And heaven help you should you question the propriety of any conduct of your local fire department.

"How dare you criticize the bravest of the brave! Those who place their lives on the line, as volunteers, no less, 24/7. Why, it’s simply un-American." 

The fire department has stated that the existing building can no longer adequately serve the community and to repair the building would not be cost effective.

Commissioner Tepe bluntly said he fulfilled his legal obligations to notify the public of this three-hour window to vote by posting a legal notice in the newspaper, a sign in front of the headquarters and a statement on their web page.  

I am not sure how many of my fellow residents follow any of these attempted efforts of notification, but if it was not for Newsday initially writing an article about this, most of us would only have found out after your already bloated tax bills have increased even further.

Many residents are forced to do with less during these times of an economic contraction, yet our fire department wants to build a three-story 42-foot-high new fire house, separate maintenance facility and training facility and tower.  The standalone maintenance facility will have its own kitchen, while the main building a ball room with commercial kitchen is designed to entertain 350 people.     

Mr. Tepe stated your tax bills would not rise more then you pay a year for Newsday or one month for cable. I am sorry, Mr. Tepe, I have a hard time believing this, especially from the person who tried so hard to suppress the actual news of this colossal project.  Mr. Tepe has no right to marginalize my concerns to pay more or how I should spend my money.

When I attended the public meeting on this project I questioned why the lead architect of the new complex was allowed to give a general quote to repair the existing facility. Why would we not get a feasibility study by two or three independent engineers to give us a bullet point assessment and cost analysis of what is needed and what is on the wish list?  This would then allow us to have three options to vote on.

Does anyone else see a conflict of interest in having the person who has the most to gain in building the new complex quoting the costs of repairing the existing structure?  How come the public was not presented with a line-item cost analysis to repair the existing facility?

If given the opportunity to review item by item their concerns with the existing structure I am confident we can come to a compromise and find a solution that would allow the fire department to continue their outstanding service to our community without sacrificing the safety of their members and the community for substantially less.

The residents of Dix Hills need to be better informed of the implications of this massive capital expense, how it will impact their taxes, what other options are available.  Many residents already put forth suggestions to alleviate some of the concerns put forth and were turned away.  

We need as a collective group to vote no on March 8 to this proposal, come back to the table and examine the need list and wish list, then formulate a reasonable plan that will be cost conscious while not sacrificing the safety of our dedicated and admired  volunteers and residents of our community.

It is imperative that we the residents are not complacent, come out to vote and be able to send the message, “enough is enough.” There are no more blank checks.

Michael Shain

Dix Hills