By DOUG DONNELLY
Advance Editor
PALMYRA – Dirt has been moved to make way for the new Palmyra’s new fire station.
Township officials were joined by several members of the fire department, No, 78, Sen. Joe Bellino and the general contractor for the job, Papenhagen Construction Saturday to mark the kickoff of the $850,000 project.
It’s been a long time coming for Palmyra officials who have been working for years to design and fund the building.
“It’s been a while,” said Supervisor Dave Pixley, “but we are almost there. I think people will be very happy with it.”
Pixley showed off the design of the new, four-bay fire station which will replace the aging station just down the street that is too small to house today’s modern fire trucks.
“Today’s fire trucks are much larger than those that were used during the period when the current building was built,” Pixley said. “The new fire station allows for future growth and expansion.”
In the current station, multiple vehicles must use the same bays.
The future station will be large enough so that won’t be necessary. It will also have a well and a pump large enough to fill the trucks, upgraded lighting, electrical and communications equipment and a secured room to house medical supplies. The bays will have a CO-monitored exhaust system and room for the firefighters to change into gear.
The facility will also have a training room and a mezzanine for storage.
“Not having enough space on the lot to expand or remodel at the current sight, the board decided to build on the township office sight,” Pixley said.
The building will be 100-feet long by 60-feet wide.
Palmyra has been saving money for several years to fund the new construction, which will not require any new tax dollars.
“The project was never on the ballot since it is fully funded with money that has been saved and invested,” Pixley said, adding that most community members are enthusiastic about the new station.
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