Riverhead Fire District voters approved both propositions on the ballot in Tuesday’s special election.
The propositions, authorizing the issuance of $4.5 million in bonds to fund the purchase of a new ladder truck, costing $3 million, and new communications equipment, costing $1.5 million, were approved by wide margins in a special election that was decided by 149 district voters.
Proposition One passed by a vote of 139 to 9 (1 blank) and Proposition Two passed 141 to 7 (1 blank), according to Riverhead Fire District Secretary/Treasurer Caitlin Buthmann.
“We thank the public for their support,” Buthmann said.
The bonds have a term of 15 years.
“While the bond is being authorized now, the funds will likely not be bonded until the ladder truck is delivered, which should about 40 months from the date the contract is signed. That being said, the current bond for headquarters, which is approximately $1 million in debt service each year, will be paid off at the end of 2027. The debt service for the new bond will be factored into the budget starting in 2028 and we hope that the taxpayer will feel no additional impact from this bond,” Riverhead Fire District Chairman John Tradeski said in a statement prior to the vote.
MORE COVERAGE: Riverhead Fire District seeks voter OK for $4.5M bond to fund ladder truck, radio upgrades
Editor’s note: This article was amended after its initial publication to add a statement from the fire district chairman.
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