On April 27th, Apalachin, NY voters will have another chance to approve the building and renovation of thier fire house on Pennsylvania Avenue. Last month, by a margin of only 42 votes, residents dismissed the idea of the project. Talk about every vote counting! The current Apalachin Fire Department facility is antiquated, too small for current needs and lacks the proper exhaust fume extraction system to prevent exposure to toxic fumes by our volunteers. Built in 1952, the current facility is too small to accomodate today's larger fire trucks. This in itself provides a hazard as the men prepare for an emergency exit. It is impossible for them to operate safely. This and other risks are also a risk to the taxpayers should a tragedy occur.   Apalachin, a small hamlet located in Upstate Ne... 04/13/2010

Apalachin residents weighed in yesterday on whether or not they wanted to spend 4.5 million dollars to renovate and extend the current Fire Station on Pensylvania Avenue. The vote was 542 to 500 against the project. Volunteer firefighters will have to continue to deal with the antiquated and overcrowded facility. Perhaps they can come back with a less expensive version such as a metal building instead of the brick one that was proposed.   03/17/2010

Apalachin, in the Town of Owego residents vote today on a referendum deciding whether or not to spend 4.5 million dollars to upgrade and build out the current firehouse facility. Voter turn-out was especially heavy today in this hotly debated issue. Those in favor of the referendum hope to see a new facility added to the current one bringing the Apalachin station into the 21st century. The existing station, built in 1952 and last renovated in 1976 is in desperate need of more space, upgraded equipmement, bunkers and and the addtition of a proper exhaust ventilation system. Taxes will rise approximately $71 per year based on a $99000 assessment. This is the average assessment for Apalachin but many homeowners will pay far less. Many folks believe that the volunteers deserve the newer fac... 03/16/2010