Following a decision not to build an addition on the current firehouse, the has decided it wants to buy an adjacent property that currently houses Pulver Gas.
Commissioners of the district, which extends from Wainscott to portions of Water Mill, including Bridgehampton and Sagaponack, has entered into a contract to purchase the property at 2339 Montauk Highway for $3.9 million. The property abuts the Bridgehampton Fire Department property, located at 64 School Street.
"Plans for the property, if purchase is approved, have not been made as Pulver Gas will maintain their existing lease at the location for two years," the commissioners said in a statement on Wednesday night. "However future use will be for the Bridgehampton Fire District as the fire department has outgrown its current facilities ..."
The commissioners have said the department needs more office space, training facilities and trucks. An initial proposal to expand on top of the current firehouse had an estimated cost of upwards of $9 million.
The department has no substations.
The commissioners went on to say in their statement that "the opportunity to purchase this adjoining property with access to Montauk Highway could not be declined."
The building, which dates to the early 1900s and sit close to the highway, would likely be replaced. According to the legal notice, the property is 27,664 square feet or .64 of an acre.
A referendum to go out for bond will be held at the firehouse on Oct. 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. An informational meeting will be held for voters on Oct. 14 at 6 p.m.
For voters in the Town of East Hampton, this is the second referendum for a fire district to purchase a property.
On Oct. 4, Amagansett Fire District voters will approve or deny plans , also next to a firehouse, for $2.8 million. While there is no immediate proposal for the use of another building, future plans are for it to be an ambulance bay to meeting increasing demands for emergency medical calls.
An informational meeting for Amagansett voters is scheduled for Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.
In the Town of Southampton in 2009, voters approved a $5.9 million project to knock down a firehouse and build a new substation. The building is now nearing completion.
