TOWN OF CLARKSTOWN &
CONGERS-VALLEY COTTAGE VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE CORPS ANNOUNCE START TO CVCVAC HQ
CONSTRUCTION
Town – Corps Partnership
to Save Taxpayers Money
April
25, 2011
(Congers,
New York) – Town Supervisor Alex Gromack, the Town Board and the members of the
Congers-Valley Cottage Volunteer Ambulance Corps are participating in a ribbon
cutting ceremony on Monday, April 25th at 11am at the site of the
new headquarters located on 122 Kings Highway, Congers.
“Our goal in Town government is to
continuously explore savings opportunities in municipal projects to ensure cost
efficiencies for our residents,” said Supervisor Gromack. “This is a
prime example of how working with other municipal partners, we can lower the
cost of government in Clarkstown.”
The project will include complete
demolition of existing two story 6500 square feet building and reconstruction
in the same basic footprint of a new two story 9,350 square feet building. The
cost of the new building is expected to be just under $3million, which is being
managed by the Town of Clarkstown to ensure lower cost to hamlet residents. As
a result of the Town of Clarkstown – Ambulance Corps partnership, the residents
in the hamlets of Valley Cottage and Congers saved a total of $1,690,000.00.
Construction will start next week on
the reconstruction and expansion of the Congers-Valley Cottage Ambulance Corps
building. The new building will provide four vehicle bays for emergency
equipment, office space, secure computer operations area, secure file storage,
board room, ready room, decontamination room, bunk room, storage and a
multi-purpose room that will be used for training. The building is designed to
provide service 24/7/365 with the inclusion of an emergency power generation
back-up system.
The increased space will allow for growth opportunities of the organization as
well as its Youth Corps and the Congers Homemakers, a group of community women
that have supported the Corps for many years.
Service will be uninterrupted during
the construction period.
“The Congers-Valley Cottage Volunteer
Ambulance Corps is proud to be in a productive partnership with the Town of
Clarkstown, which is allowing what for years was just a concept to become a
reality,” said Gregg Smith, President of the CVCAC. “We look forward to
having a building that allows us to provide modernized services to our
community.”
“We are thankful that the Town of Clarkstown
was willing to participate in this project to ensure its completion,” said Bill
Hughes, Treasurer for CVCVAC. “We want to provide our community with the most
current EMS services available today and know this modernized facility is a way
of helping us to do just that.”
“Our ambulance corps members are an
integral part of our community,” said Councilwoman Shirley Lasker. “The
Town Board is glad to be participating in a project that will benefit our
volunteers and our community.”
“Residents have often asked when
construction would begin on this building, because they understand the need to
upgrade the existing facility,” said Councilman Frank Borelli. “This new
building will allow for a new facility and hopefully attract new members to the
corps.”
The organization is currently operating
with roughly 35 active riding members. According to Captain Arthur Panov, “this
level of membership is the lowest it has been in years. We answer on average
100 calls per month and would welcome more members of our community to join us
in providing such a vital and gratifying service to our residents.”
“As part of the building upgrade, we
also want to raise awareness for the need of individuals to volunteer at all of
our ambulance corps throughout Clarkstown,” said Councilman George
Hoehmann. “The volunteers provide an invaluable service to our
residents.”
“Any member of the community who would
like to learn more about the Congers-Valley Cottage Volunteer Ambulance Corps
is welcome to call me directly (845-268-0357),” offered Andrew Gioseffi, Chairman
of the CVCVAC Board of Directors. He further offered, “I’d be happy to explain
who we are, what we do and to share what it feels like when you can save
someone’s life. I can honestly say that life takes on a more special meaning
after you’ve been given the opportunity to give someone a second chance to
live.”
“This new facility is not only an
example of a beneficial public partnership, but also illustrative of the work
the ambulance corps volunteers do on a daily basis in helping to save lives,”
said Councilwoman Stephanie Hausner. “We are glad the Town was able to
participate in this project.”
Construction should be completed by
December 2011.
OPEN PRESS.
###
