Firehouse aiming to make repairs

Mission Fire Company, located on Groveville Road in Bordentown Township, is asking residents in Fire District #1 to vote to approve a renovation project at the 33-year old firehouse. The cost of the project will be funded by $1.96 million of bonds which will be issued for a 20 year period. The tax increase on an average house based on the Bordentown Township’s average of $239,000 will be approximately between 20 cents to 24 cents per day. The firehouse was constructed in 1982, and there have been no significant capital improvements made to the station since it was dedicated in May of 1982. The improvements and capital repairs now being undertaken are designed to correct safety issues, expand certain parts of the facility to improve operational efficiency, the elimination of the problem plagued “flat roof” with a long life pitched roof design, meet code requirements for electrical and exhaust systems, and to assure ADA compliance going forward. The project would consist of the following to the existing structure:Replace the existing concrete apron, asphalt driveway and parking area. The flat roof would be replaced with the installation of a wood truss A-framed roof. Other replacements would include a rooftop A/C unit, a zoned/multiple unit A/C system for better efficiency, and main heating boiler with high efficiency natural gas unit. Engine bay heating units would be replaced with higher efficiency units; emergency generator replaced with a self enclosed natural gas fired unit; and engine bay doors replaced with higher insulation value.A single story addition of about 2,000 square feet would be constructed, with the additional space added to the rear of the existing firehouse building. The Board of Fire Commissioners considered a number of alternatives including patchwork repairs and entirely replacing the current structure. The Commissioners, understanding the long range budget burden of the alternatives, decided the best approach was to modestly expand and renovate the current station to improve efficiency and greatly extend the structure’s useful life. Registered voters who are residents of Fire District #1 may cast their vote concerning the authorization of the proposed bond issue on Dec. 13 at Fire Station #321, located at 51 Groveville Road near Northern Community Park, from 2–9 p.m.