Rockland Voters Decisively Approve Fire Station and Ladder Truck Projects in Special Election Tiebreaker
ROCKLAND - September 13 - Rockland residents turned out on Saturday to decisively approve two critical public safety funding proposals, endorsing both a new Fire Department Ladder Truck and a $26.1 million Fire Station Building Project. The special election served as a crucial "tiebreaker" after both initiatives faced conflicting outcomes earlier this spring, having failed at the Annual Town Election in April but passed overwhelmingly at the Annual Town Meeting in May.
Voters supported Question 1, the $2 million Fire Department Ladder Truck, with a vote of 1240 in favor to 875 opposed. This approval means the town can proceed with replacing its current ladder truck, a 1999 model that has become a significant mechanical burden. Fire Chief Scott Duffey had previously highlighted the urgency of this purchase, noting that new ladder trucks have an extensive build time of 48 to 50 months, or four to five years. The cost for the new truck will result in a one-time property tax increase of approximately $300 for the average single-family home in Fiscal Year 2026, which will then fall off tax bills before any larger fire station debt begins. A pending FEMA grant application could potentially reduce this cost by up to $1 million.
The $26.1 million Fire Station Building Project, Question 2, also secured voter approval, passing with 1154 votes in favor to 962 opposed. This revised "Plan B" project represents a 21% reduction in cost from an initial $33.2 million proposal that was rejected in spring 2023, and a 22% reduction in its physical footprint, from 33,000 to 25,000 square feet. The new headquarters will be built at 99 Church Street, the site of the old Lincoln School.
Town officials had strongly made the case for the new station, emphasizing the critical need to address severe space and safety issues at the current Union Street facility, parts of which date back to 1939. The existing station is deemed too small for modern equipment and personnel, and poses significant health hazards to firefighters due to inadequate separation between living quarters and apparatus bays, exposing them to diesel exhaust and cancer-causing contaminants. The project is projected to result in an average annual property tax increase of approximately $223 per year, or $0.61 per day, for 30 years for the average Rockland single-family home valued at $517,355.
This successful special election marks a significant step forward for public safety in Rockland, allowing the town to move forward with updating its essential fire department infrastructure. Officials had consistently warned that continued delays would only lead to higher costs and unaddressed safety concerns, as construction costs escalate significantly over time. With both projects now having received the necessary ballot approval, the town can proceed with their implementation.