Sunday April 26, the Guilford Fire Department is hosting its first ever UTV Poker Run Fundraiser to support the building of a new fire station. Register to be in the run day of at 9:30 a.m. for $20.The estimated $3.9million project to build a new fire station was approved by the community by a vote of 93 to 20 on Tuesday. (Submitted Photo)

GUILFORD – This weekend on Sunday, April 26, the Guilford Fire Department is hosting its first ever UTV Poker Run Fundraiser to support the efforts being made to build a new fire station for the department. Just this week, voters in the Fire District approved the project.

New fire station approved by voters

The current Guilford Fire Station is nearly a century old and no longer adequate for the needs of the community for several reasons. According to the fire district, it no longer meets modern fire service, safety, accessibility, and code requirements. After conducting a feasibility study, it was determined that the total estimated project cost for a new fire station would be $3.9 million.

The Guilford Fire District has already applied for a couple of grants to support the project, and been awarded one for $1.015 million from congressionally directed spending, they are awaiting the state's decision on a second grant for $1 million.

Guilford residents in the Fire District were asked to vote on spending for the project on Tuesday, April 21. The Fire District provided a list of the major issues to voters including: an aging structure with poor insulation and energy efficiency; inadequate electrical systems; no compliant vehicle exhaust ventilation; no modern fire alarm or gas detection systems; not ADA or NFPA compliant; fire apparatus parked bumper-to-bumper; and limited space for firefighters, gear storage, and safe access.

The district also provided an estimated tax impact of the project to voters. According to the public vote information handout, it would be approximately $243 per year for each $100,000 of assessed property value without any grant funding, and with the $1.015 million grant awarded, approximately $180 per year per $100,000 of assessed property value, based on a 30-year municipal bond at approximately 5% interest.

Authorization for building the new Fire Station passed by a vote of 93 to 20.

“So now that we're through the preliminary parts, they'll finish up all the legal stuff that needs to be done and hopefully late this fall, late this year, it'll go out to bid,” said Chief Ives

UTV Poker Run Fundraiser for the fire station

A UTV Poker Run Fundraiser will support the costs of building and furnishing the new fire station.

“Anything the fire department is doing, is to raise money to offset the cost and taxes for basically furnishing the fire station,” said Chief Ives. “The fire department will fund or purchase equipment, like for the kitchen. Then if we need some other equipment, then the department buys that and it gets donated to the district so the taxpayers don't have to pay and foot the bill for that,” he added.

The Guilford Fire Department is a total volunteer fire company and according to Chief Ives, last year they responded to 222 calls, 95 of which were mutual aid to other districts.

“We also assist other neighboring departments and vice versa when we have fires and stuff, they sometimes come help us,” said Chief Ives.

For their fundraiser this weekend the Guilford Fire Department invites community members to register for a UTV Poker Run. The main event being a 30 mile UTV ride through Guilford and its hamlets, on a mixture of seasonal and town roads. Those wishing to participate can register at the starting point at 9:30 a..m. the day of, and receive a poker card for $20. The UTV drivers will present this card at each stop on the 30 mile run and receive a mark. At the end, once all of the UTV drivers have returned they'll “draw” their poker hand. The best poker hands will get monetary awards.

In support of the event, the town will be closing some of the roads the UTV run will be going over. The following roads will face closure at various times during the event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Keach, Marble, Robinson, Ives Settlement, Schlafer, Junction, Hohreiter, Charles Wicks, Parker Smith Hill, Trestle-Hucklebon, Robinson Ext., Hay Path Lane, Bruffel Hill, Gospel Hill, Merchant Street, Furnace Hill and North Pond Roads. Local traffic is permitted.

Ives estimates the UTV run will take around four hours to complete.

As part of the fundraiser they also offer a variety of raffles, including one for a UTV. They'll draw the winning raffles once the UTV drivers have returned, which Ives said would be around 3 p.m. In addition to the UTV raffle he said there will be a 50-50 raffle, Chinese auction, and gun raffles.

Throughout the day at the main location there will be food and festivities.

“Basically it's a family fun-type activity or event for the day,” said Chief Ives. There will be a chicken barbecue and outdoor activities.

The location/starting point is provided by PAK Construction at 656 County Route 36, Guilford, NY 13780. Owner Paul Knowles, is a volunteer at the Guilford Fire Department and also on the building committee for the new fire station. Chief Ives said he's been a long-time supporter of the department and a big help getting this all going

“If you're coming to participate, just dress for the weather,” said Chief Ives, “it'll go on, rain or snow.”

Support Guilford Fire Department's new fire station by registering in the UTV Poker Run, buying a raffle ticket, or showing up for the community event.