E. Dundee fire district wants new station on ballot
East Dundee fire district trustees will hold a special meeting at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, to discuss an ordinance that would place a referendum on the Nov. 6 ballot to sell general obligations bonds to build a new fire station.
The special meeting is needed because time is running out for trustees to act, said Fire Chief Steve Schmitendorf.
“The last day for trustees to approve ordinances for ballot questions this year is Aug. 20,” Schmitendorf said. “The board's next regular meeting is Aug. 21, so we have to act before.”
The special meeting will be held in the East Dundee village hall annex, 120 Barrington Ave.
Trustees will not only decide whether to pose the question to voters, but they will decide how much money they will need to raise through the bond sale.
If voters approve the request for funds, the fire station will be constructed along Route 25, north of Route 72 on three acres of land village trustees donated to the fire district. It will be next to the River Haven multifamily subdivision now under construction.
Trustees and the fire chief contend the new station is needed because fast access to many of their ambulance and fire calls is no longer easy.
“Our current station (on Third Street) was built in 1950, the west most part of the village. That was good for then, but we've expanded to the east,” the chief said. “Our district goes out to South Barrington where Goebberts (farm) is. Now, to get out of our station, if we get up (Barrington Avenue) hill, we're good. Before we do that, we have to make turns, cross the bike path and get through the older part of the village.”
When trustees decide how many bonds to sell and the cost of the debt they will incur, they will know how much homeowners will pay in property taxes to repay the debt.
“Approving the ordinance is just the first step in this process,” Schmitendorf said. “If it gets to the ballot, the district will conduct meetings to inform homeowners of the need for a new station. Public information will be important to this entire process.”
For details about the special meeting, call the district at (847) 426-7521.