Fire Tax Almost Doubles
If you want to attack individuals by using their names, then you must sign your FULL NAME. If you are man or women enough to throw stones at people then sign your name. What are you afraid of?
To the posters that do not see their posts. If you have that much anger towards the town and the fire dept, then you need to go to a meeting and voice your concern. By posting those comments here you are not trying to solve the problem you are being part of it.
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Here is a link to the Churchville web site about the new firehouse. Scroll down to the bottom for floor plans of the proposed new building.
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This was from the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle 2-23-08
Full Story -
(February 24, 2008) — RIGA — Stewart Lancaster knew it was coming, but he didn't think it was going to be this big.The Riga resident supports building a new Churchville Fire Department facility on Washington Street, just north of East Buffalo Road. However, when he found out that the Riga fire tax rate was going from 94 cents per $1,000 assessed value to $1.80 per $1,000 assessed value in one year to pay for the building, it was a little shocking.
His fire tax bill went from $119.42 to $230.08.Some residents said they are fearful that the costs will keep increasing every year and that the town should have had a referendum on the issue.
"The citizens of Riga will be paying a lot of money for years to help build the firehouse," said Lancaster, 46, who lives on Chili-Riga Center Road. "I understand the fire department is an important service to the people, but I can't support the idea of such a large raise over one year. I was just completely in shock."
Full Story -
posted by Scott @ Sunday, February 24, 2008
83 comments
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83 Comments:
This is similar to EVERY new firehouse story.
Town/ff's want new firehouse....taxpayers up in arms over the cost.
Everyone wants quality fire protection, but whines at the price tag.
This is just another " same story ".
Just another example of the extreme waste that goes on in volunteer-land, not that a new firehouse isn't needed, but $3.7 million dollars? They do what, 340 calls per year (according to their website), so they are spending about $12,500+ on average per call on the firehouse alone.
Glad I'm not paying that fire tax.
If this tax increase happens then Churchville will have one of the highest tax rates of a all volunteer FDs in the county. Very close to the tax rates of some combo districts such as North Greece. Not to mention the location of the new firehouse is about a mile from the southern portion of the Spencerport Fire Distict. I would have liked to have seen a station built in a more central location for the residents of the Town of Riga. Not one built with the thought that the contract with Spencerport to cover their southern portion of their distict in the Town of Ogden would last forever.
It seems to me that someone should be looking at the leaders of this fire district? Does this district not have a building fund in which they put money into every year from tax dollars. Most districts just don't up and raise the money in one year. Seems to me their is a lack of planning.
As if our taxes arent high enough...3.7 million??!!?? For what?? 340 calls per year? You don't even turn a wheel daily yet you need a taj mahal? A pole barn oughta be sufficient. As if we arent be taxed right out of NYS to begin with! Absolute waste, while I am the first to want quality fire protection a 3.7 million dollar firehouse does very little to ensure more than my basement is saved. Quality fire protection comes with reduced response times and better training, not fancy firehouses
Why don't we do it down south. make the fire tax optional. that way when all these whiners set their house on fire or need an ambulance we can show up and make sure their neighbors house doesn't burn down, if their neighbor paid their taxes, or they can cough up cash for a commercial ambulance. How would all the whiners like that?
Don't like it don't pay, don't have fire protection. Problem Solved.
Here is a link to the firehouse web site. If you scroll to the bottom there is a link to the floor plan.
It does not look like a taj mahal to me. The one thing they do not have is a bunk room. It looks like a normal main fire station for a department.
Remember how everybody said Brighton Station 1 was a taj mahal? Well they are looking to renovate part of it because it is not big enough.
Firehouse Link - http://www.churchvillefire.net/new-firehouse.html
Scott
To all, I do agree that the price tag is a little large for what they run. How ever for any one that has been to the fire house it is very cramped for what does go on there. They have needed a new fire house for some time and with the way the nation's ecomoy is today the price tag is going to be inflated. Also I don't believe that just a "pole barn" will do for the department.
Chris
I think people have to look at the big picture.What is Churchville and Riga gonna to look like in 10 years. Yes they had 340 calls for 2007 but look at what is going into this community. I hear churchville respond to Eur-dale heights a couple times a week.Their is an increase in the call load right there. So what happens down the road when other apartments and business come into the community? I think the floor plan looks good and was well thought out. The longer you wait to build this firehouse the more expensive it will be. Like everything else prices keep going up not down. john kjmp
Hilton did the same crap. More then doubled the fire tax. Not sure when the constuction will begin but the property was cleared of all the trees last summer. Plus they paid a ridiculus amount for the property. They say its because it is zoned "commecial" I think by the time these people figure out there getting boned, The firehouse will be built. Politics sucks!
Also, Spencerport Fire has to go back to the voters for a new vote on their bond for their new firehouse. The builiding is 33,000 square feet, that is huge, got to one of the biggest in the county.
After the vote last year, they went out to bid, the costs came back about $1,000,000 more than they had approved.
So, what to do? Look and revise your planes, they have two good sub stations, Station 3 is actually a good size firehouse, so why so big for a primary station?
They do need a firehouse in the village, but that big?
Spencerport voters go to the public hearing and ask WHY?
Please explain to me how Churchville can justify a tax rate similar to North Greece? Will this firehouse include professional staffing?
Those "whiners" are the ones that provide your building, apparatus, gear, supplies, dinners and booze. Dont slight them or it will come back to bite you eventually. Remember, we serve them not vice versa.
While Churchville may need a new house in these uncertain economic times it is not in the best interest of the public being served to double fire tax for any reason. Read this mornings D&C about Monroe County taxes or just look at your own tax bill, this area is going to tax the middle class right out.
what people dont understand is the residents of churchville and riga have been paying so little over the years for fire protection and now we are the last district in the 4th batt. to build a new station the residents are seeing a tax increse! look at the savings over the years for being "under taxed", those who are complaining are the same people who would bitch about us not getting to their house fast enough when the damn thing is in flames!!!!!
how come "all these complainers" were not at all the meetings reguarding this issue. as always they come out of the woodwork when it is all said and done and bitch and moan!!!!! buck up and shut up!!! we'll see ya when YOU need US!
Quality fire protection comes with reduced response times and better training, not fancy firehouses.
I'm curious where this soul calls home,,lol
5:20, that soul, is right on the money....
Sure the price is going to be inflated...loan interest, and the costs of materials etc.
A few hundred $$ in fire tax is a cheap thing, compared to if the response time is doubled, or tripled when YOUR house is burning.
Now if people wanted to make a statement, and even lower the price a bit, Take that federal gift in May (refund would mean the funds came from a surplus, and not a loan), and sign it over to the town en mass. Pay it down all at once, and there would even be a surplus that could be held in an interest bearing account, where the interest down the road would cover maintenance of the station... but that would mean people would have to give something they did not have in the first place....Guess the days of building a community went out the window....
CF
How had to go to a Town Board Meeting it was a < DONE DEAL >
Just let there be a vote in Riga and Churchville and make it fair to all..
Consider Riga,s Increase and look how much they might have in the Riga,s < Bank > ..
churchville is a growing community with a much larger commerical property base and more planned in the near future. as for the residential area, there is a lot of construction going on in the town and village and the population is growing every day! we have a major interstate within our district as well as a busy rail system and a high pressure natural gas pipeline system to name a few reasons we need to be up to date with a new firehall
Nice to hear somebody is getting a new station . But that is a lot of money for one ??? as for the fire tax thats cheap we have 5 departments in our area. taxes are anything from $1.64 ( our department ) to $2.63 per thousand to other departments. we work off of $64,000 dollars a year( includes truck payment ) running just over a hundred calls a year and our I.S.O. was just done and we rate higher than some paid staff departments in New York State.(I.S.O. 4) They need to re think there spending. 3.7 million can go along ways for alot of other things as well as still build them a nice new station.
Before it becomes volly v paid. Before its 340 calls v 3400 calls. Slow down, Look at the plans. Its a nice facility not outlandish.
(Lets use some common sense)
Every firehouse being built today has to have some infrastructure to meet the needs of apparatus and regulations (even if NFPA are recommendations) If they built it too small, they'd be back to build it in before the original bond is over. School districts make this mistake all the time. There talking 3 million for a new roof on one school building. Is $3.7 million a lot now days for a new firehouse????
Even if this was a 'pole barn',to fit their apparatus, I bet your looking at over $1.5 million.
The tax issue sucks..no doubt! Could something have been done..no doubt!
We need to look at these commissioners, districts, duplicated efforts. We need a consolidated fire, ems, police system. Did you see Sundays D & C re: taxes.
Does Churchville deserve a "new" facility..YES! Did they help their town out or help their community..HELL NO!
The article says the firehouse is going to be 18,000 square feet, it's this is correct the cost of the building is over $200 per square foot which is extremely high. If as one poster stated it's 33,000 square feet the cost is reasonable at about $110 per square foot.
No matter what provisions should be made for living quarters because in the not too far distant future Churchville will have to have paid firefighters like everyone else due to training and response requirements. Not building living quarters only guarantees an expansion before the station is even paid for!
Can we please just call it a firehouse?
How many of you went to any of the meetings regarding the Churchville firehouse? I've been to all of them and I've watched this whole project very carefully from the start, because I will be one of the citizens paying for this project. The CFD is running out of a 60 year old facility that is outdated and undersized, and the property it sits on is not ideal for a firehouse for a number of reasons. They've dealt with those conditions for many years at little cost to the taxpayers, and now they need to build a decent place to run their operation. These guys have done a good job at finding an appropriate piece of land, next to the town hall and close to the village center, and they have laid out a firehouse that will serve the community well for the next 50 years or more. When professional staffing becomes an issue in the future, they can make the appropriate changes at that time. Those of you who think the price is wasteful obviously have no idea what it costs to build a respectable municipal building. Ever served on a committee to build a new firehouse? As for the genius suggesting a pole barn, we don't build pole barn police stations, pole barn post offices, or pole barn town halls in this county, and I don't want any pole barn firehouses in my community either, especially when the building will serve as the primary public safety building for the community. Those of you who bothered to look at the plans will see that this firehouse is not excessive in any way. The department is 100% volunteer and they deserve a decent facility, and I have supported their efforts from the beginning because I know how much I will be paying in the future when the volunteers are gone. You guys and your ignorant platitudes about fancy firehouses not putting out fires. Maybe those kinds of statements might apply to some of the other new firehouses built around Monroe County in the past, but not to this one. See you all at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
I hate to say it but nothing is cheap these days, construction of a new fire station included. I dont know how many of you writing to complain have been to the fire station now but its pretty much a hole. Lets remember that those who respond from there are volunteers...people who take time out of thier own busy lives to help the community when its needed. I have no problem in giving those people a decent place to stay, knowing that a new look and a new building may improve recruitment and retention, giving the members of the community a better response to emergencies. I could not agree more with the person who was looking at the big picture looking 10 years from now. I would like to see the average Riga citizen spend some time at the fire station now and see how uncomfortable it is, and how many problems there are, then see how much you would complain about the new faciity.
Hope the building goes well, cant wait to see the new station...
Riga Taxpayers need to look at there Tax bill. The increase posted on the front, states the increase from 2007 to 2008 as 0.0
Something looks fishy here. And if you look at the meeting minutes there were all kinds of ideas on how to do this better. Nobody listened !!
There's an issue which not everyone is picking up on:
Churchville is growing. Yes, their needs are increasing.
Churchville VILLAGE rates did not go up nearly the amount that Riga TOWN rates did. The growth is for the VILLAGE.
So the town pays, and the village benefits!
(The new location adds one minute response to the town residents served by Churchville.)
Fire Fighters put out Fires! Not Fire Stations! Spend $1 on a station or $4million, if there isn't anybody on scene in a hurry then how is your $$ Building doing for the people you are there to protect in their time of need.
The real issue here is not the need. Riga Taxpayers are paying for most of the burden of a firehouse. Isnt this just a high contract for service ?
The fire tax almost doubles. Not the full story.
Riga's payment to Churchville increased 134%!!!
The Village's contribution is nowhere as near, and they are the prime beneficiary.
Riga's payment to Bergen and Clifton remains substantially unchanged, with a 4 or 5% increase, as happens every year.
Why is Churchville FD so special that they don't do fundraising and all the work that Bergen and Clifton have done to build their firehalls?
Just keep in mind. More than 75% of the calls at EUR-DALE Heights are false alarms. They should be charging them at some point!!!
they have done aton of foundraising. nobody cryed when the town of riga built there new home? its not the churchville fd comes out every 10 years for a new building they have been there since 1960s
The Town of Riga built the Town Hall with no tax increases at all. Maybe thats why nobody complained!!
CAVE...citzens against virtually everything...rally at any chance to complain. That old fire house has served it's purpose over the years and it is time for a new station, get over it...I went to first grade there back in 1955 and moved on to Fairbanks Rd El.
Village of Churchville Contracts their Fire Department to the Town of Riga for a set amount of money every year. This year the fire tax has jumped 100% for the same service, same fire trucks, and same members that respond. With that 100% increase nothing has changed for the residents of Riga, it has only hurt them. The firehouse is being moved to the North East portion of Churchville, the farthest point from the most active part of Churchville’s response area, southeast and southwest Riga. So, what does this firehouse do for them, nothing but longer response times? Oh I have to mention that the Churchville Fire Department has already purchased land in the Town of Riga right near Rt36 to build another firehouse in the near future. If they already raised the fire tax 100% are they going to do it again? Why doesn’t the fire department just build their new firehouse in the center of the village? Churchville and Riga are not big enough geographically, population, calls, or members to build a second firehouse. They only average 150 fire calls a year and about 200 EMS calls not to mention nearly 60% of there EMS calls are sent to Monroe.
Now lets look at some other issue. The Village of Churchville lowered their village tax and increased the fire tax. Making it a wash for the Village of Churchville taxpayers. Village taxpayers will see no difference in taxes. Now let move to Riga. Remember Riga is on a contract. Riga’s fire tax JUMPS 100% FOR WHAT, a firehouse to be farther away? How stupid. Why should a contracted town have to pay 100% more in fire tax just so the agency they contract with can get a new firehouse? Remember it’s the Village’s Fire Department. OH DID I MENTION THE TOWN OF RIGA’S TAX BILL STATES 0% INCREASE FOR FIRE TAX? Doesn’t that sound shady? Something is wrong here. The fire tax goes up 100% but the town tax bill says it went up 0%. When the Town of Riga was asked to send out another tax bill to show the truth a full 100% increase they said no.
Who does this to there residents? I cannot get over the babyish crap that the Churchville Fire Department has done and the Town of Riga. Both are to blame. When a official at fire department was asked about fund raising to get money over that past few years, you no what he said, WE ARE A VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT WE DON’T FUND RAISE! Are you kidding me? You should be ashamed you are a volunteer firefighter. If you only new the half of how VOLUNTEERS FIRE DEPARTMENTS GET THEIR MONEY. Fund raising in part of being a volunteer. I cannot believe you would have audacity to even think that. Maybe resigning should be in your near future, because you obviously don’t know the first thing about a volunteer fire company.
In closing the Fire Department and the Town of Riga have to do what is right. This should go to a vote!
11:23, are you as ignorant as you seem to be? What do you suggest, putting career staff in the old firehouse? How many? How much will you pay them? Where will they stay? They'll need quarters and benefits, so how will you pay for that? Add it all up and multiply it out for a few years: A $50,000 to $60,000 salary plus benefits and overtime X 4 firefighters, and even more if some of them are officers right? Now you're paying out at least $250,000 per year in personnel costs plus whatever it costs to remodel the current shack they're using for a firehouse. Talk to a commercial contractor about the remodeling costs and then get your calculator out. And remember that you'll need to add more career staff in the very near future because 10 years from now Riga ain't gonna look like it does today. Say you only spend one million to remodel instead of 3.7 million to build new. That leaves you with a 2.7 million dolllar savings. Now figure it'll take less than 10 years to completely blow through that money, especially with overtime costs, union negotiations, medical expenses, etc., and then you'll surely need to add on to the shack again to accomodate the additional personnel you're going to have to hire. And by the way, how the hell can you justify hiring paid guys now when they're only going on 300+ runs a year? You're better off taking care of your FREE volunteer staff so they'll keep showing up on their own dime. Why don't you swing by the new firehouse next year and pick up an application? Just wipe your feet before you walk into the new building.
Its not the need for the firehouse thats in so much question. Its no < vote > and that Riga landfill money could have been used to offset a great deal of tax increases and that was not done. Everyone should read feb. 20 2007 town board minutes and respond with comments..
All volunteers should resign. THEN, and ONLY THEN, will the taxpayers really see how much it will cost for fire protection.
Why should the taxpayers buy a cow when they are getting the milk for FREE ????
To 5:07
You are incorrect in one statement. Chili has not put a shovel in the ground in more than 25yrs. When they needed some additional space a couple of years ago to address the growing needs of the ambulance, they acquired an existing building for significantly less then any comparable new building.
No wonder they cant get members to apply, no body gets along!!
Guess what the cow and the milk cost much more than you think!! Go to the supermarket. Have you been inside all your life!!!!
This guy that writes a two page letter is ignorant. He must have a interest in the Riga Town Board. I hope you live in the Village of Churcville And not Riga or else your < CRASY>...
They could do it less lan 4000.000
dollars.
Why is it that anytime a village runs a fire dept the taxpayers in the surrounding town are the ones that get the screws put to them? Does the $40,000+ a year the Spencerport Fire District pays to Churchville for fire protection in south Ogden go into the Churchville village general fund? Is that then used to buy new DPW trucks and not fire equipment? It doesn't sound like much but it adds up over 20 or 30 years. Why would a village resident pay less than a town resident when the new firehouse is closer to them? For years villages across the area let the surrounding towns basicly pay for their village fire houses and equipment. These are the questions the taxpayers must ask. Having a village or town board run a fire dept is a joke. They need to form a fire distict and get out of the 50's.
Doesn't sound like too much for the average home to shoulder....now if u have a $200,000 house it would be a bit more that someone living in a $50,000-100,000 but hey if u can afford to live in a $200,000 house then u shouldn't bitch...
EAT THE RICH!
7:39, before you call someone else ignorant, it's YOU'RE not YOUR when you are trying to say YOU ARE, and crazy is spelled CRAZY not crasy. I'll take the guy with the long post any day. At least he checks his grammar. And do you think somehow the residents of Riga don't benefit from the CFD? They do respond beyond the village line of course. What is your point?
The following data was gleamed from going to meetings, going to the open house, and speaking with members of C.F.D..
NYS law doesn't allow the funds from the landfill to be used for this project.
I believe the fire tax in Churchville/Riga hasn't been raised in around 18 years.
There is no room for training in the current structure.
The current office is shared by every officer - business and line.
Apparatus are double stacked in the bays.
Dont let anyone tell you that there hasnt been increases in 18 years. They have seen increases every year more than the cost of living figures. Poor planning!!
Get ready for the next tax increase their building 2 fire houses.
No fire tax raises in 18 years. Lets start telling the truth and maybe someone will feel sorry for you guys!!
Theres no question that Churchville and Riga both may benefit from a new firehouse. Riga should pay less of a fire tax because its in the village and their responsible for them. Why would Riga pay more for a contract for fair fire protection than churchville. Maybe its the gas price to drive to Riga. Although its already been stated most of there call base is in the Village of Churchville. Something dosnt look right here and there just trying to cover it up!!
It all starts with the taxpayers. We should be telling Village, Town boards and fire depts what we want.Is that happening < NO >. There must be some type of connection between the Town of Riga Town Board and fire dept. To not allow a VOTE and or a HOME RULE MESSAGE!!! To easy said and done..
I guess I am a little confused here. What does it matter how many calls they run? Everyone seems to be stuck on 340 calls a year. It does not matter. They go on the same calls as everyone else, they go at all times of the day and night, and if anyone actually listened their response time is one of the best in the county. And again, what does it matter? We are all in this for the same reason, we love being firefighters, whether career or volunteer, and want to do what we can to help the community. 3.7 is not a large amount of money when it comes to construction cost now adays. Especially for a main firehouse. They do not want to have to add on in another 5-10 years. Build it right the first time. Taxpayers will never be happy whenever there is a tax increase, but the firefighters, and town board memebers have to pay that exact same increase as everyone else, and they are still volunteering their time to help.
And as far as not fund raising, they do more than their share of fund raising over any given year. I believe there are at least 6 different fund raising events every year.
CFD appears to suffer from poor planning for the future. Yes, they have gotten regular increases, just like Bergen and Clifton. Bergen and Clifton have both built new facilities, and with no "handouts" from the town.
How are other departments, which handle 140 fire calls and 200 ambulance calls per year funded?
Volunteers? Look at how the existing members are treated by their own organization!
A fire district would at least allow effective representation, in that the commissioners are elected to office.
A fire district might bring some leadership to solving the town fire protection problems.
What many Riga residents are upset about is the fact that in Feb 07 the town was talking about home rule and putting the issue up for a vote. Then in Nov 07, while handling routine budget items, with no public debate, the town approved a 135% increase to CFD. The other Bergen and Clifton got their usual increase.
For the first time in the history of Riga's fire protection history, the money taxed was not uniformly spent among the three suppliers.
This is what is behind some of the upset in the community. It comes across as sneaky, and without public visibility. It doesn't have the appearance of being above board.
cc
Let's do the math for a moment.
$200k house @ $1.80/1,000= 360. Since this is double last year, $180.00 difference divided by 12 months is $15.00 per month increase. One of the leading causes of fires is smoking, stop smoking and save many times more in the cost of tobacco. It is difficult to imagine that in a thriving community like Riga/Chruchville that people are living a life so fragile financially that they can not afford a $15.00 per month increase in fire tax. That is like not buying one soft drink every other day out of a vending machine...please get real, it is not some giant conspiracy to to rob you in the night. as a previous post commented, CAVE people!
Consolid... um, Metro...
Oh, nevermind.
There is an easy solution here.
Limit Churchville Fire Department to covering the Village. Expand Clifton and Bergen's coverage.
Let the Village pay for CFD, and stop all the belly ache.
This matter is mostly an issue of taxation without benefit.
Everyone keeps thinking that things are hidden somewhere with this. But there has never been anything shady. The fire department went to the town and asked for money to build the firehouse. After about two years the town finally passed it. Everyone is right, it never went to a vote, but how does that come back to the fire department. That is what the wonderful town of Riga did. The bashing of the fire department is a little childish. Every person from the Town could have been at all of the meetings and workshops that were open, and ask all of the questions, and concerns they wanted. The fire department had people there to answer all of the concerns. Why wait until it is done and over with to decide to complain. It is a done deal, and time to move on to something else to complain about, like the presidential election!!!!!!
TO: cc-10:26am
You say that it was not open to public debate back in november '07. Actually it was open. ANYONE from the town could have been there and debated that particular line item on the Budget. But NOT ONE PERSON stood up and questioned it. Hence the reason it passed. UNANIMOUSLY!!!!
140 FIRE calls? 3.7 million? step back and look at that...WOW....How do cities run 3000 calls or more a year out of 100 year old fire houses....
This is not paid vs vols. just #s
Churchville vfd has no need for Career staff due to their run #s. They also have no need to be wasteful to keep up with the jones's
A lot of people are talking about whining and complaining in these posts. What you really need to talk about here is ignorance.
Most of these people that are against the new firehouse have at least one misconception in every one of their comments.
For those of you complaining about landfill money, go tell the people in the southern part of town that they cannot have public water because you would like to spend that money on the new firehouse. Or ask Pam Moore about Home Rule laws, I'm sure she'd love to talk about it for hours.
For those of you complaining that your tax rate shows an increase of 0%, that's because you don't pay actual town property taxes, thanks to the landfill.
For those of you complaining that Clifton and Bergen were able to do it without raising taxes as much why don't you find out how they did it before you voice an opinion. Bergen built it's new firehouse the first time the landfill exapanded, and since the old Riga town board wanted nothing to do with it, Churchville got no money. Clifton did not build their firehouse off of fundraisers alone, they are mostly funded by the Town of Chili (which by the way has much more money than Riga).
For those of you that complain that there was not enough fundraising, where have you been for the 200 Club, Corn and Sausage Roast, Turkey Raffle, Fund Drive, Golf Tournaments, and other fundraisers over the last years? I'm guessing none of your money contributed to those fundraisers since you didn't know about them. Also, you truly must have never talked to any official, because all of the officials attend every fundraiser. That money was used for much needed equipment such as a Hurst tool to save lives (you know since a new firehouse won't save lives). I'm guessing you are also the same people that complained about the Westerns Convention in town last summer - which by the way was a fundraiser for the new firehouse.
What you also don't seem to know is that Churchville is one of the only Fire Departments you will find that actually funds part of it's own budget EVERY year out of fundraisers. Every other department gets all of their money from taxes.
Speaking of which, for those you that complain that $1.80 is high, why don't you look at comparable towns such as Scottsville and Avon. You can't compare Churchville to places like Chili, Gates, etc. when there are many half a million dollar homes in those districts. When you live in a small town there are less people to share the burden. If you don't want to be bothered, MOVE!
For those of you that complain that the firehouse should be built in the center of the village, can you please explain where you would like that to happen? Last I knew there wasn't any room. So how about we just tear down the historical village block, the gas stations that serve everyone, and the public library and put it smack in the middle of the four corners?
And lastly, for those of you complaining that a new firehouse does not save homes or lives, you are correct. HOWEVER, proper storage of equipment and enough room for good training does drastically increase the ability to save lives, including the lives of those firefighters (not getting into dangerous traffic situations or being improperly trained).
So, again, before you make yourself sound like an idiot find out the facts. Churchville firefighters are like a family and they treat everyone in the community as if they were one of their own. They have planned this project for the last ten years. The old village board shot them down at every turn. You all voted for the people that represent you, now accept the fact that they did what they thought was best for your community. And it's about damn time!
The Churchville Fire Dept does a good job with what they have and well deserve a new fire hall. But why should Riga pay a higher tax rate than the Village of Churchville for the same service provided. If you really look and the truth be know. Riga pays 2/3rds of the tax base and Churchville pays 1/3 of the inpact of the fire house. There is no question Churchville pays less and gets better service.
Once the new firehouse in Churchville is complete then they can move forward to spec Quint 420. The new firehouse should fit it and Im sure its already on the wish list.
3:17 and 5:14, PLEASE do us all a favor and just unplug your computers. You're either not paying attention or you are just brainless. Start adjusting to the idea that a new firehouse is going to be built on Washington Street, because it's going to happen. If you don't like the taxes in Riga, move into the village. If you don't like new firehouses, move to some place where there are no new firehouses. Just please, please, stop typing. I beg of you. And to all you guys in Churchville who have been reading all of this, smile, because you'll be in your new quarters in no time. Congratulations on finally making it happen.
Just because you dont go to Town board meetings in no way means you dont have a voice.. Most of these meetings were done behind closed doors and the general public wasnt invited. This happens all the time in Riga. The Town Board and Fire dept are running the town and if you get in their way , your the bad guy !!!
Some one else said this. No Fire tax increases in 18 years. Lets just tell the public the truth up front.
Let Clifton and bergen take over all of south of the railroad tracks in Riga and erase the contract with Churchville. I thought they were the Churchville Fire Dept INC. Is this even legal ? A big question here!!!
8:10 , so anyone who gives an opinion that you do not agree with is brainless? Some mentality you have, "how dare someone question what our Vol. fire Dept. is doing it's un-american" You have a narrow view of the world around you........ people have every right too question, vote, and comment on what happens in their community..
TO:11:37pm
Just an FYI, NOT ONE OF THESE MEETING WAS DONE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS! All of the meetings were public knowledge, and posted in the paper for EVERYONE in the community. I am not sure exactly how else you want to be invited.
And yes EVERYONE has a voice in the town, but if you don't voice that opinion when the floor is open, why do you want to complain when it is all said and done. You should have brought that opinion to the table 2 years ago when this started.
fyi, the second firehouse they are going to build is really not a reality at this point, the department did purchase a corner plot of land to the south of the village at rt33 and rt36 from the riga cemetary for a reasonable amount of money, around $13500 or something close to that. this is for future use and possibly a 2nd firehouse, or substation if you will. this is looking way down the road, but i think it is damn good planning on part of c.f.d. to look ahead and "reserve" a space for the future!!! our close knit farm community is rapidly changing from a rural setting to a congested small and medium business and heavy residential area.
Here is the bottom line. YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU GET. High fire tax equals high quality service, low fire tax equals not a low quality service but not a service of equal quality. The people on here that complain about career vs volley, high taxes vs low taxes, big fire houses vs poll barns have nothing better to do then complain. The truth is the fire tax for career departments are used in the majority to pay for the career staff, which in most departments are on 24 hours a day. Now if I'm a tax payer in a district that has a career firefighter/EMT on 24 hours a day, I can sleep well at night knowing that there will be some one there within 4 minutes after I call 911. I could care less if there is 1 firefighter there or a fully staffed engine. It is a peace of mind knowing I will have a professional at my door in less then 5 minutes. Lets look at the other end of the spectrum. How many volley companies that boast they do the same with a less fire tax, can boast that they hit the NFPA standard of 4 minutes the majority of the time. NONE AND THAT IS A FACT, and anyone that wants to try to rebuttal that is a moron.
Listen to the scanners, companies toning out 1,2,3,4,5 times over a 10 minute mark for some calls. These guys may think aw its just a BS EMS call, but to your tax payer that you are serving that is not BS call, they called because they are in need of help, so don't roll over and hit the reset button on your digital pager or minitor and go back to bed, some day it might be you or a friend of yours that might need help. That is the difference, career staff responds %100 of the time, they don't have the luxury to roll over and hit the reset. I love these trucks that have %100 Volunteer. It should read "%100 Volunteer...we just do not respond %100 of the time."
Now, now don't get me wrong, volunteers are great, the active volunteers. These are the guys that respond as much as they possibly can, but their efforts are all for none because they either are a driver and can't get a crew or can't drive yet and an old retired volley doesn't feel like going on a certain call so there is a volley all by himself stuck at the fire house with no driver.
Now that I typed a bunch of stuff just to get to this point. There is no reason for Churchville to raise their tax that much for a new fire house, fire houses do not put out fires. Trained firefighters put out fires. If this tax was raised so maybe there could be a staffing in Churchville 24 hours a day then I'm all for it. Because the only thing Fire departments with 8 minute responses save are the basements of homes.
Please don't build a pole barn,talk about a waste of money, and a firehouse is supposed to be somewhat of a shelter during natural disasters. planning for bunk space is forward thinking,not saying they need a paid crew but being able to sleep while standing-by in quarters would be nice,(just ask the guys that sack out on the rec hall tables). Raising the taxes that much in one year was poor planning-period. To everyone that complains about the brothers not fundraising, All the departments that do fundraising should wein themselves off,with people working 2 jobs and making the mandatory training,the last thing you want to do is work bingo or some other BS thing to run the BUSINESS. Ask your highway super or sheriff when the next bingo game or chicken BBQ is,I mean hey,what the hell, if we gotta do it so should they! RIGHT?
No increases in 18 years? who dreamed that one up ? They were given increases every year more than the cost of living. True fact go look at the Village Office..
I dont live in Churchville, have no affiliation at all with them. Regardless of whether this firehouse is needed or if they have truly been undertaxed for years...increasing tax at such a rate is going to raise alot of eyebrows while;
1. We are slipping into a recession and stagflation is the current reality
2. Property values are FALLING
3. Gas is well over $3 per gallon, families spending $150 a week is the norm
4. Unemployment is high and layoffs and downsizing are the current trend in our area
Lets be honest, if the economy was good not too many would have a real problem with a $10 monthly mortgage increase for public safety(thats roughly what its going to be for the average monthly escrow payment) but in tadays world where many people are in trouble most feel that the cow has been milked dry and someone just keeps squeezing on the nipples.
Yeah yeah yeah...its only $10 a month! But its $10 on top of what I am already paying in taxes, you needn't look far to realize how out of whack our taxes are in comparison to the rest of the country and things arent getting better.
I need to get back to work...because most of us spend from Jan 1 until Late April JUST to support our tax bills. Enjoy your new firehouse and take good care of it because the well is going to dry up eventually.
$3.7 mil seems a little high to me. I've looked at the floor plan and by cutting some of the fat, you could cut approx. 1/4 of the size of firehouse not counting the bays. Cut the conference room, ready room, the tiny training room, and cut the day room in half. Use the meeting room for conferences and training. Do some creative re-arranging and you've just saved yourselves a substantial amount of money. I know its too late now, but it seems like there could have been some better planning. That's just my 2 cents.
I agree that the CFD has had a need for a new fire hall for many years, and I also believe they knew this. What they needed about 6-10 years ago was a financial planner to tell them how to get there. Capital resereve? The issue for the residents of Riga that are covered by Clifton or Bergen, about 30% of Riga, is that your fire tax doubled and about 95% of the increase for 2008 will go to the Churchville Fire Dept, not the Fire dept that services your area, Clifton and Bergen. Residents of Riga that live as much as 12 miles from the new Churchville fire hall location, are seeing 100% increases and half their fire tax bill is going to a department (Churchville) that other then Mutual aid will not see any service from that protion of the tax bill. This suggests the Riga Town Board forcing a tax burden on some of its residents that will not see a direct benefit, NOT the Churchville Fire Dept
Riga Resident
These commits are rediculous. Sit back and actually take a look at what half of you people had written. Half of u don't even live in the Churchville and Riga area so what is your beef with this whole thing. For those of you who had never been in the firehouse, put your bitching someplace else. Way to go Scott in bringing something as stupid as this. I was a member of the Churchville Fire Dept for over 10 years and the firehouse is very cramped. In order for you to get your gear on, you have to inhale the fumes from the firetrucks because your gear is hanging right next to them and only one person can fit in that space between the firetruck and the wall. To have to pull across a street and back in and hold up traffic just to pull a firetruck in the bay is another example. The people who are bitching and making really stupid statements don't live in the Churchville or Riga district and u people need to go bitch someplace else - perferably in your own fire district. For those that do live in the Churchville and Riga area why are you bitching now? WELL, where were u at the meetings? Why didn't you get off your couch and bitch then and not when the first bill comes. Get over it. Churchville Fire Department has done alot for the community and the residents. The residents are just never happy about anything that goes on in churchville. Really sad!
Past Churchville Firefighter.
Churchville Fire Department needs a new Fire station. Period.
The problem is that they should have been putting money in a budgeted account for this hall 10+ years ago and not waiting until a fire department friendly town board and town supervisor and village mayor were elected to push this fire hall onto the public. The blame falls onto previous fire department planners and current public officials. Taxing all of Riga is the lazy way the board decided to raise monies. Not concidering
that not all of the township benefits from a new station is again a failing of the supervisor and the board. Shame on those public officials.
When all is said and done, the bottom line is this, create and build a fire hall that will make the community and the fire fighters safe and proud, but the need to install safeguards to not let this financial short sightedness happen in the future is a must.
I hope this point of view from a Riga resident is understood. Thanks
I don't live in Riga or Churchville, but if you think 3.7 mill is expensive now, wait until you short change it. Spend half that today and in a few years town fathers will be back asking for 4 mill for an expansion or a house in another location. Blow that off and the price will be even more. I've yet to see construction costs go down. Too bad they didn't cut a contract before Katrina and Rita jacked up prices.
Even well before the budget vote one of the guys named in the D@C went to the Feb,20. 2007 board meeting. He had so many ideas that would have made the inpact to Riga much less. It looks like they made up there mind a long time ago and had no intent in listening to the public anyway. Please read, you will see the truth!!
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