Foundation Seeks Donors For Fire Tower Repairs

FOUNDATION SEEKS DONORS FOR FIRE TOWER REPAIRS

A foundation created to raise money to cover the costs of repairs to the 77-year-old historic Mt. Nimham Fire Tower is appealing to the public to help them raise funds for their upcoming projects.

The fire tower, built by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps, dates back to 1940. It is owned by New York State and managed by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). However, the fire tower is cared for by a small group of volunteers, members of the Kent Conservation Advisory Committee (KCAC) who have a stewardship agreement with the DEC.

The KCAC members have performed regular maintenance chores at the tower site for years. These jobs include painting, graffiti removal and trash pick-ups. They have even taken on several larger jobs such as replacing a sign on the tower and re-bracing the first flight of stairs.

Then late in 2013 KCAC members noticed that a number of the thick wooden planks in the cabin at the top of the fire tower were beginning to feel spongy. They determined that these planks would have to be replaced in order to keep the tower safe enough for public use. This job, they knew, was going to need professional expertise and they knew the DEC would not be in a position to fund the repairs.

KCAC member Dave Ehnebuske explained the DEC’s position on not making or paying for the tower repairs.

“The fire tower belongs to the State and is on land managed by the DEC, but, unfortunately, a repair project of this sort just doesn’t come high enough on their priority list so it doesn’t get funded,” he said. “And since the tower belongs to the State, neither Putnam County nor the Town of Kent can fund repairs as it would be misappropriating taxpayer dollars.”

So how to pay for the repairs? When several residents of Kent heard about the KCAC's problem, they decided it might be beneficial for all concerned if they formed a not-for-profit foundation to carry out projects like the tower floor replacement. That way funds could be raised to cover the more than $2700 estimates they had received from contractors. By the end of 2014, the Kent Conservation Foundation with Ehnebuske as its President and several other Kent residents as board members, was in place.

The floor board replacement project took a fortunate turn when David Tompkins, a licensed contractor and regular visitor to the tower, met and talked with KCF Board member Bill Volkmann. Tomkins agreed to do the construction work pro bono if the Foundation and the KCAC could provide volunteers and materials which they did. In May of 2015, the DEC closed the tower and issued the necessary permits and the job was done.

“Over the course of two days, David and Bill replaced the floor and railing around the trap door for a total cost of $786.66,” Ehnebuske said.

Following the advice of a professional engineer the Foundation hired to inspect the tower, the group has also begun to replace the wooden landings. On July 10, Volkmann and Ehnebuske cut new planks and installed them while volunteers Emi Pennington and Jolie Siegel put a fresh coat of paint on the inside of the tower cab for a total cost of $326.76.

Nevertheless, the Foundation knows that the job of painting the entire structure, as recommended by the engineer, cannot be done by volunteers. They now face the daunting task of raising approximately $30,000 to pay a painting contractor to scrape off the existing rust build-up and paint the entire 82’ 6” structure.

“The historic fire tower is a valuable treasure for all of Putnam County and we are so very grateful to our devoted volunteers who keep the tower and the grounds safe for the steady stream of daily visitors,” said Beth Herr, co-chair of the KCAC. “It offers the thrill of the climb and majestic views south to New York City, west to the Catskills and north to the Taconics and Berkshire foothills.”

The Foundation will soon have a PayPal donation button set up and more information on the painting project posted on their FaceBook page as well as on their website: thekcf.org. In the meantime, anyone wishing to make a donation to help restore this historic landmark can send a check to: The Kent Conservation Foundation, P.O. Box 474, Patterson, NY 12563-0474.

Photo caption for Fire Tower Project 004:

Kent Conservation Foundation member Bill Volckmann (left) stands on a newly refurbished Mt. Nimham Fire Tower landing with Foundation President Dave Ehnebuske. The tower is in need of a complete repainting and the Foundation is seeking donations to help cover the $30,000 cost. Photo submitted.

Photo caption for View from Mt. Nimham Fire Tower:

While the estimated cost of refurbishing the historic fire tower is considerable, the views to be enjoyed from any level of the structure are priceless. Photo submitted.

Photo caption for Mt. Nimham Fire Tower:

The Mt. Nimham Fire Tower in Kent is on the National Historic Lookout Register. The 82’ 6” structure offers a glimpse not only into the area’s historic past but also breathtaking 360-degree views extending over the Taconic Hills in Putnam County and beyond.