he new station will replace the existing facility, which was built in 1958.

Despite a number of improvements and additions to the station over the years, the township long ago outgrew both the lot and the 9,500-square-foot building, Pierzakowski said.

The new station offers several advantages over the existing facility, not the least of which is the ability to house the township’s growing fleet of emergency response vehicles using drive-thru bays.

Showers, sleeping quarters and meeting space have been included. The plan allows for an additional bay and more meeting space, if necessary, Pierzakowski said. Enough property is available to host outdoor events for the community or perhaps even a park. 

Voters approved a 4% hike in taxes, or an estimated $34 per year for an average single-family home. Officials say the increase will generate $155,000 in additional revenue for the district.

Recent purchases of an ambulance and tanker depleted $420,000 from reserves, according to the fire district. Planned future expenses exceed current reserves “three-fold,” the district says in its spring newsletter. Those planned purchases include an aerial ladder truck in 2018, pumper fire engine in 2019 and an ambulance in 2020. Maintenance of the district’s two firehouses is also planned, including paint and roof work and HVAC replacements.

The tree also fell onto power lines in the area, knocking out service to several residents.

No injuries were reported.

The department has about 13 volunteers and to welcome the new truck, they pushed the truck into the fire station.

It's a tradition they say started years ago when the firefighters used horse-drawn fire wagons.