Voters approve $4.6 million bond for new firehouse

Voters within the Warwick Fire District approved a $4.6 million bond Tuesday to build a new firehouse on South Street Extension.
The vote was 196 in favor and 39 against, with one void vote.
“This is a huge step ahead for the Warwick Fire District,” said George Schick, chairman of the Warwick Fire District Board of Commissioners. “The new firehouse will be capable of housing the apparatus we need going forward, which will improve our ability to protect the community.”
The current facility cannot be expanded, according to an engineering study performed in 2008, and cannot accommodate the equipment needed. The department’s rescue truck is 20 years old and must be replaced, according to Schick. The building cannot house a new rescue truck because of its larger size. The existing overhead door provides a maximum opening height of 10 feet.
In addition, the study noted there were many structural issues with the building that would have to be repaired.
The new firehouse will be 10,000 square feet in size and handicap accessible.
Project expected to be completed in one year
Schick said the entire construction project is estimated to take one year to complete. Their next step is for the architect to complete the construction drawings and create the bid package. They will then solicit and award bids.
“It’s possible that we can award the contracts and start (construction) late in 2019, otherwise we’ll have to wait out the winter and start next spring,” said Schick.
Cost
The cost to an average taxpayer within the district is estimated to be $43 per year, according to the fire commissioners. Currently the average taxpayer within the fire district pays $217 in fire tax. That would increase to $260. The term of the bond is 30 years.
“The Board of Fire Commissioners would like to thank the residents for their support,” said Schick. “We're going to build a firehouse the community will be proud of."