POINT HENRY — Residents of Port Henry Fire District No. 3 voted for a significant property tax hike Tuesday when they authorized, 167 to 56, a local share of $1.6 million for construction of a new fire station.
The daylong balloting at the current Port Henry firehouse tallied 232 votes, with nine ballots voided for errors or non-residency.
Total cost for the new fire station on Main Street is $4.9 million with a USDA grant covering $3.3 million of the amount.
The fire district tax rate is estimated to increase 81% from 91 cents per $1,000 of assessment to $1.65, a rise of 74 cents.
Fire department leaders said they’ll now start the financial work for the project, including a 30-year mortgage at 4.5% interest for the $1.6 million. The cost will be phased into property taxes over three years.
The department’s 115-year-old firehouse on Church Street is in poor structural condition and can’t meet modern building codes, fire company officials have said.
About 10 people attended the vote count at the firehouse, including Moriah Town Supervisor Matthew Brassard and Councilman Paul Salerno.
Brassard said the new fire station will serve the department for many years to come.
“Congratulations to Port Henry Fire Department,” he said. “Their vote was successful. They did a lot of hard work.”
He said the $1.6 million local share comes with a tax increase that could be whittled down if more state and federal funding is obtained.
“It’s time to get to work and secure more grants to lessen the tax burdon,” Brassard said.
The Town of Moriah owns the firehouse building, and Brassard said once the fire department leaves, it will go up for sale.
“The town will reach out to people who were interested in this building. The town has no use for it.”
NEW STATION
The two-bay fire station at 4258 Main St. will be about 7,000 square feet, heated by propane and use stacked bays so two fire trucks will fit in each bay.
The property is owned by Port Henry Fire District No. 3 and was donated by Crown Point businessman Will Deyo. It was the site of a former grocery store and, most recently, a commercial laundry.
The design is by LaBalla Associates, of Rochester, with construction by Hueber-Breuer Construction Company, of Syracuse. Hueber-Breuer also built the Keene and Upper Jay fire stations.
Future public meetings will be held to determine the exterior appearance and color of the building, LaBalla Associates representatives said.
Construction is expected to take a year, starting in 2027.