Lawrence authorizes approval to loan LCFD money

The New Year could start off with the villages of Lawrence and Cedarhurst approving contracts that will give the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department the green light for its proposed two-story firehouse extension.

At their Dec. 15 meeting, the Village of Lawrence Board of Trustees unanimously approved a law that granted trustees the authority to loan money to the fire department. Village Administrator Dave Smollett said they are waiting for the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department to give them a budge amount. “We’re in the talking stages and we should know how much in the next few weeks,” he said.

Lawrence Mayor Martin Oliner is anticipating the loan process. “I am all in favor of us making the loan and I want it done properly,” he said.

Lawrence trustee Michael Fragin noted Lawrence has the largest financial burden of all the entities that contract with the fire department which also includes North Lawrence and East Lawrence fire districts.

“We need a new firehouse and it’s in the public interest to accommodate new apparatus for the fire department,” he said. “The firehouse has five bays and two are obsolete because they cannot accommodate the newer, larger trucks. It’s needed so firefighters don’t have to move other equipment around to get to needed apparatus and trucks.”

The proposed $2 million two-story extension will face Washington Avenue and the first floor would house the larger fire trucks that no longer fit in the current 108-year-old firehouse. Training space and the fire department’s command center will occupy the second floor.

Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department 1st Assistant Chief John McHugh is eager to see the project begin.“It’s a positive step,” he said about the approval for the Village of Lawrence to loan the fire department money. “We’re looking to get the process started. The number one issue is safety.”

Cedarhurst Deputy Mayor Benjamin Weinstock said the village has received a contract from the fire department and is in the process of reviewing it. “We haven’t had a chance to discuss it as a board,” he said. “Next month, something will happen.”