New building considered for rescue squad in Bethpage area

by Tom Chillemi –

The current lease on the building that houses the Urbanna branch of the Middlesex County Volunteer Rescue Squad (MCVRS) expires in two years, Tina Mennett, MCVRS secretary told the Urbanna Town Council at its April 28 meeting. A parcel of land on Lord Mott Road, near where the former tennis courts are, has been donated by Bethpage Camp-Resort to build a rescue squad station.

MCVRS has received a price of $600,000 for a metal building on this site, and there is a need to raise $500,000 for this project, according to a document in the town council’s packet.

Mennett said the MCVRS needs help with fundraising, project managers and design to build a station with two bays and living quarters. “We can’t do it by ourselves,” she told council.

A committee has been formed to assist the MCVRS with the project. Committee members include Middlesex County Emergency Services Coordinator David Layman, Middlesex County Administrator Matt Walker, Urbanna Town Administrator Garth Wheeler, Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department Chief Ray Burch, in addition to MCVRS officers that include President Angie Zabel, Treasurer Leslie Krom and Secretary Tina Mennett.