Say No to a Firehouse on Upper Main Street

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What is the CCSRC? and What do we want
The Coalition of Concerned South River Citizens are your neighbors, co-workers and friends. We are residents of South River who aim to present a united front in important borough decisions and events.  

Currently we are fighting the borough locating a new firehouse on Main Street at the Elks Lodge property.  We feel this part of town is mainly residential and a firehouse in this location would dramatically alter the character of a historic neighborhood.  Not to mention
 affect home values, traffic, and quality of life.

In a special meeting called by the Borough Council, that was held May 2, 2012, a resolution was passed to rescind the contract with the South Amboy Elks Lodge and National Elks Organization on the purchase of the property on Main Street.  The Mayor called for a closed session meeting prior to the decision to discuss the legalities of pulling from the contract.  But, Councilman Vaughn objected to having a closed session and felt strongly that the public should be able to view the discussion.  According to the Mayor, due to the legal suit from the Elks to the Giannakopolous family, and possible other suits, a closed session was required.  After the closed session discussion the officials came out to announce the unanimous decision to pull the contract, in front of a large showing of the CCSRC, residents and some Fire Company personnel. Before adjournment, Councilman Vaughn brought up many excellent points about conserving tax payers money and taking the money set aside to purchase the elks property and using it to start fixing up the current firehouse. While, Councilwoman Farren disagreed, stating that with the amount of equipment we currently own that it cannot be housed in the current facilities and feels a new firehouse is a necessity.  Councilman Roselli raised the question of putting together a committee of Borough Officials, Fire Company personnel, and residents to review our options and help decide where to proceed. He asked the Mayor if it can be placed on the agenda for their next business meeting.  Mayor Krenzel decided it best to table the discussions for their next business meeting to address the concerns of where the next step is in either repairing the current George Street firehouse or building a new firehouse.

The Coalition is very happy with the decision to rescind the contract with the Elks, and looks forward to aiding in the next step in regards to the firehouse. 

Though the current contract is void, the Elks Lodge Location is still an issue.  Until firm statements are made by the Council that this location is no longer a viable option.  It is important to address the facts that a new contract should not and can not be entered into.  The Giannakopolous Family will be in litigation for years in regards to the deed restriction.  Because of this the Elks will not be able to provide a clean title, if the town were to attempt to purchase the property.  Please keep in mind these important facts as well as all the other information provided on this website.



 To our Firemen, and families of our Firemen:
The CCSRC would like to say that we truly do SUPPORT our firemen and that they are heroes for what they do. They are preforming great acts of bravery not only to our town, friends, and family but neighboring towns around us.  We know that though we are strongly opposing the Elks Lodge site we are NOT AT ALL opposing the Firemen.  We appreciate the time involved in volunteering, and the noble work they do. We understand that the current conditions of the firehouse are unsuitable.  But, we are only trying to express that the cost of building a new one at the Elks Lodge location would bring burden onto the townsfolk financially, especially in the case of the homeowner being sued for it. Please recognize that, OTHER OPTIONS EXIST, and need to be explored. WE are proud to be your neighbors and friends and hope that our intentions our clear. The Firemen of this town are HEROES and we have not forgotten that!
WE SUPPORT OUR FIREMEN BUT, NOT THE ELKS LODGE SITE!

Please visit their website at South River Fire Department  for more information and please call them to inquire about making donations to the SRFD.

VIDEO OF 4/23/2012 & 4/09/2012 & 3/26/2012 COUNCIL MEETING
At the first meeting our group attended in March, many opinions and concerns were voiced.  As well the site survey being put to question.  At the April 9, 2012 meeting Emmanual Mesagna was brought in to give his honest statement of what he was hired to do for the borough.  He disputed any articles in the Sentinel as falsehoods and said "I did not tell anybody the Elks Lodge was the best site, never was".  At the meeting from April 23, 2012 yet another Architect was brought, in Mitchell & Associates, who did a presentation on the positive aspects of the location and the type of building he would construct disputing Mr. Mesegnas statements.

  • We now have, two different and awarded architects with differing opinions and statements. 
  • Neither man would come and put his license on the line if they didn't believe that what they were saying was true.  In what seems to result in a he-said/she-said situation. 
  •  Whether you believe one or the other, the fact remains that this is a deed restricted location that could take up to four years in court to come to a conclusion.
   Many Firemen and their families attended this meeting and spoke about their views as did many residents. We are glad to hear their views as well as them having a chance to hear ours.

One thing remains the same and singularly important, The Elks Lodge Location is wrong.

 I HOPE YOU CAN VIEW THE VIDEOS AND APPRECIATE THOSE YOU GOT UP AND SPOKE.  IT TAKES COURAGE TO STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE ESPECIALLY IN FRONT OF SUCH A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE.  Thank you to all who attended including and especially the S.R.F.D. and their families, we hope you know that we truly do appreciate you and we are not against you, we are against this location.


Some Background Information

Last year, South River entered into a contract to purchase the former Elks Lodge property on Main Street for $950,000 with the intention of demolishing it to build a new 5-bay firehouse at a reported cost of $7.5 to $8.5 million. The contract is currently stalled due to a restriction on the deed preventing anything other than a dwelling on the site. The Elks are pursuing legal action to lift this restriction.

We support our firemen and recognize the current firehouse on George Street is in unsafe operating condition. However, if the borough feels a replacement is necessary, the Elks Lodge is not the right location for the following reasons:

  • The presence of a firehouse would substantially alter the character of a prominent, historic and lovely part of South River’s Main Street.
  • The $950,000 purchase price for the property plus the roughly $8 million for demolition, land improvements and construction of a new building seems excessive when less expensive options exist.
  • The original owners of the Elks property, the Sennhauser family, donated the land with the stipulation that it would NEVER be used for anything other than a dwelling (home). We support this deed restriction and do not want to see it lifted.



There are many other options for the location of a new firehouse that would be better suited and less costly for our town.

 

This is the Current Elks Lodge Property on Main Street
Please Join us at the Town Council Meeting on May 14, 2012 at 8:30pm in support of saying "NO" to a firehouse at the Upper Main Street/Elks Lodge Site
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