In a symbolic step toward consolidating the Tannersville and Haines Falls Fire Districts, the Hunter Town Board on Monday voted to sell a parcel of town-owned land for $1 to be used for a shared firehouse as part of a new municipal complex.
Mike Lucey, chairman of the Tannersville Fire District, said the two districts began exploring the idea last September. “At the time, the Board expressed support for the idea in general and informed us that it wouldn’t work unless the two districts merged,” Lucey said.
Since then, both districts have met several times. “The districts are pretty close to being able to decide whether to proceed with a merger,” Lucey said. “One of the big things driving this is the Town’s insistence that the districts merge to be favorably considered for the use of Town land. And the question arose, ‘Well, what if they welch?’ We want something more substantive than your word before we take that final step.”
Lucey said his district wants a written guarantee securing the land. Town Supervisor Sean Mahoney responded by introducing a motion to offer both districts a letter of assurance: if they consolidate, the town will sell the land needed for a new fire station large enough to accommodate both districts for $1. The motion passed unanimously.
“The ball is in your court,” said Town Councilman Ray Legg to both fire districts.
The town owns roughly nine acres, part of which will be used for the municipal complex, most of it within town borders, with a portion in the village of Tannersville. According to Mahoney, the firehouse would likely be located near Route 23A, near land used for the annual stone carving seminar.
Architects Wolfgang & Hite and Lamont Engineers are leading the design. Mahoney invited the districts to a future workshop to offer feedback. He also proposed forming a joint consolidation committee with three representatives from each district. “That committee can also ask for the Town’s grant writer’s assistance,” he said.
A Haines Falls Fire District member floated the idea of a heliport — met with enthusiasm. But emotions ran deep.
“I’ve been sitting on the fence – I’ve been here since 1967, and it hurts a lot, but I know it’s coming, and it does have a lot of benefits to it,” said Bruce Feml, chairman of the Haines Falls Fire District. “I just want to make sure that I’m doing the right thing, not only for myself but also for those who’ve died since we started. I was a little kid, and there was just a pile of gravel. Look what we have today. I’m proud of what we’ve got today.” Feml was referring to the Haines Falls firehouse.
Feml noted taxpayers within the hamlet of Haines Falls recently approved the purchase of a $600,000 fire truck.
If the districts merge, a public hearing would be required — but not a referendum.
The districts plan to meet again on the third Thursday of the month. The Town Board’s next meeting is June 10 at 6 p.m., and both districts are invited to attend, as Lamont Engineers will be there to discuss preliminary details of the project.
Mahoney said the idea gained traction last fall when both districts began exploring separate facilities. “To this Board, it didn’t make much sense for Town taxpayers to be going in separate directions when, at the end of the day, you all show up at the same fire,” he said.
The districts are independent and appear as separate tax line items. Mahoney framed the land offer as a way to improve efficiency. “The intention has always been that this will be a collective effort,” he said, adding that shared infrastructure costs — sewer, water, road construction, grading — are part of the plan.
“From an operational efficiency perspective, it makes sense to be one company with one board of directors making decisions,” Mahoney said. “You’re already doing this separately under a mutual aid agreement.”
Not all were convinced. A Haines Falls fire official read a statement opposing the land offer’s conditions. “Why should either district be denied the land just because the other district opts out of consolidation? … With all due respect, I do not see a lot of fire service experience on the Town Board.”
Mahoney replied: “This is a big-picture conversation. However, the condition is not going anywhere.”
He pointed to the firehouses’ close proximity — just two to three minutes apart by vehicle — and welcomed a list of consolidation pros and cons from the districts.
“I would love the opportunity to respond to them and say whether or not I agree with them,” Mahoney said.
Mahoney also presented a feasibility study and estimated the total project at $12 million, not including the new firehouse. The town is waiting for the results of $2.2 million in active grant applications and hopes to cover half the total cost with grants, putting the rest to a voter referendum.
He said if the districts consolidate, they should consider helping fund planning costs. The village’s highway department may receive floodplain buyout funds from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, which could help offset expenses.
“We’re not trying to make the decision for you,” Mahoney said. “We’re trying to understand our needs so that you can make an informed decision about what you actually need.”
“It has been an exciting process,” he added. “We’ve made good progress. We want to be as helpful as possible to you. We’re all here to look out for the people of this town. I fully believe that.”
