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CROTON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. Croton Fire Department Chief John Munson surprised village trustees and officials when he said department members would prefer a generator to a sprinkler system after a resolution approving the Washington Engine Company firehouse sprinkler system was pushed through in mid-January.
The membership would much rather see the generator was installed, said Munson.
Assistant Village Manager Janine King, however, said the money would be going "down the drain" because someone was already hired to design the sprinklers. She said the original request for the sprinkler system came from fire department personnel.
To date, Village Treasurer Sandra Bullock said $7,637 had been contracted for the design of the sprinkler system.
A bond for a sprinkler system in the firehouse was approved by the Croton Board of Trustees at its Jan. 17 meeting at a cost of $25,520. King told trustees at Saturdays budget work session the cost of the sprinkler system was underestimated, a point brought up by Trustee Greg Schmidt when the bond was being voted on.
King said Village Engineer Dan OConnor estimated the sprinkler system would cost about $50,000, not the originally estimated $25,520.
Officials at the meeting said documents leading up to the bond would need to be reviewed, but it's possible Washington Engine Company may not be required to install sprinkler systems because the firehouse was built before the requirement was enacted.
If youve spent money and realized it was wrong you can stop, you dont have to continue the course, said Trustee Casey Raskob. Some trustees suggested the plan be shelved until the village decides to complete it or if an agreement with the design company could end design plans early.
Munson said the cost of the generator would be about $75,000, but King said that estimate was far too conservative and OConnor estimated the generator and installation to cost $150,000.
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