Millwood Firehouse Makes Progress with Planning Board

For Millwood Fire Commissioner Alan Schapiro, things are improving for the district's proposed firehouse, which needs approval from the New Castle Planning Board.

"We made a lot of progress," he said.

Fire district attorney Anthony Guardino started off his presentation with similar remarks.

Fire district officials, along with firefighters in supporting, came to the March 6 meeting for an informal hearing. The proposed firehouse, which is a 18,000 square foot, 5-bay structure off of Millwood Road, has already made it through the environmental review , which were approved last year. However, the on drawing new plat lines, a site plan, and permits for wetlands, tree removal and steep slopes.

Areas in which the district has made progress with the town (whether through board feedback or comment from the town planner) include:

• Lighting, which involves timers for when lights can go on and off
• Lighting fixture heights: Town Planner David Brito and the district both support using 16-foot fixtures, which mean fewer structures.
• Screening next to Ernest Vesce's property to the west: The district would like to wait on that, and is open to saving $11,500 to decide at a later date. The reason is because of uncertainty over whether the property, currently used for truck parking in the back, could be developed.
• The district plans on doing a study to assess the impact of a new siren, which has been considered for a spot near Route 100 and Shinglehouse Road, which is near residential properties.
• Sharing of more details for wetlands impact, which Commissioners Chair Hala Makowska agreed would be shared with the town. Guardino described wetlands impact as "one of the major issues," and conveyed to the board that the district will continue to talk with the town about it.
• General noise impacts. The fire district got a $11,500 quote for doing a study, which Guardino explained is a lot of money, and that such a study would not be very accurate. Planning Board Chair Richard Brownell responded that discussion should continue, suggesting that "hard" or "soft" mitigation can be done. He also said that the district could wait until the station is built and then do testing.

However, there are still several outstanding issues, although they are not seen as being major items of disagreement or uncertainty for the project. They include:

• Placing of screening for residential neighboring properties. Guardino explained that the fire district would like to set aside $10,000 and wait for three years after building completion, when plants have grown in more in the area, to decide. 
• Whether to establish a trailway behind the property, which also be near the county-owned bike trail and Westorchard Elementary School. Guardino said the district feels the trail “creates a safety concern” for the firehouse, noting that the district does not have rights for nearby Henry Place. However, he said that they would be willing to talk with the town. Responding, Brownell agreed and suggested that a property easement be considered.
• Concern about Ernest Vesce's claims to the right of way for Allen Avenue. Guardino argues that Vesce does not have a litigitimate claim to Allen, which is currently a paper street. “We’re staying on our side of the property," Guardino said, explaing that Allen could become a public road if Vesce could persuade the town that he has right of way on it. This would mean that a proposed retaining wall would have to be relocated. The district proposes to build a wall and driveway within their section of the Allen Avenue area.
• Further information on what possibly muting the siren at night would be. Board member Sheila Crespi asked Makowska about consulting the Chappaqua Fire Department, which limits its siren during night hours. Responding, Makowska explained that she has talked with people from Chappaqua but added that it's something to have discussions with fire chiefs about. She also explained that what works for one fire department may not for another. Planning Board member Gerard Curran, who volunteers with Chappaqua's ambulance corps, looked at it from both sides, but added "I can’t see this being a deal breaker.”

The fire district will have another informal hearing on April 17. Schapiro hopes that the district's appearance after that will involve moving to a formal one.