Residents Vote Down $21M RVC FD Bond

Rockville Centre residents voted aagainst the $21 million Fire Department bond to rehab two of its firehouses, totaling 2,147 votes to 678.

Rockville Centre Fire Department officials wanted to close down Hose Company No. 1 on South Centre Avenue, merge its volunteers with , then raze the firehouse at 103 Maple Ave. — Eureka Hook, Ladder and Bucket Company No. 1 — and rebuild it. The reason, fire officials said, is because the buildings have fallen into disrepair.

The $21 million bond would also pay to renovate headquarters, and relocate the fire inspector's office to the firehouse on Maple Avenue. 

Rockville Centre fire chief John Bushing said he was disappointed in the results, but will work to come up with other ways to make the needed renovations at department firehouses.

"Life goes on and we'll have to come up with something that is more acceptable to the residents of Rockville Centre," Bushing said. "We have to come up with alternatives. We'll be working on that now that we know where we stand and come up with a Plan B."