N.Y. Gov.: Up to $640K for Irene-Wrecked Firehouse

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the state will provide up to $640,000 for the construction of a new firehouse in the Adirondack Mountain town of Keene, where Tropical Storm Irene demolished the old firehouse a year ago.

Town officials were informed recently that the Federal Emergency Management Agency would not approve the funding necessary for the firehouse project.

The total cost is estimated at $2.3 million. Insurance covered $635,000, town voters approved a $500,000 public bond, and the town received a grant notification of $680,000 from FEMA last December. But FEMA recently reduced the committed grant, leaving the town without enough money to begin the project.

The funding announced last Wednesday will cover the $340,000 reduction by FEMA and add $300,000 for the cost of the new land for the firehouse.