Commissioners vote to replace full apparatus floor at Bronxville firehouse after months of debate

Commissioner Caro moved and the board approved a resolution on June 11 directing the district to proceed with a full replacement of the apparatus floor at the Bronxville firehouse (Station 3).

The vote followed more than an hour of discussion during which commissioners, the chief, the assistant chief and union leadership disputed whether to limit work to the floor or spend additional funds to open and square the front archway to accommodate modern, larger apparatus. Commissioner Caro, who introduced the motion, said the immediate priority is safety and reopening the station for service: "At the very least ... we need to repair the floor," he said, urging a prompt, limited scope that could be completed without a bond referendum. Assistant Chief Bruce Yaza and others urged the board to consider the district's future needs, including whether larger ladder trucks and spare apparatus will fit the existing archway.

Union President Joe Castanzo, speaking during public comments, criticized the floor‑only approach as a short‑term fix: "Putting a band‑aid on that firehouse ... is criminal," he said, arguing the department risks being unable to house new, larger vehicles if the archway remains unchanged.

Board discussion focused on three practical questions: (1) what apparatus the district intends to house at Station 3 during and after the work, (2) the design scope (the architects’ earlier plan referenced a three‑quarters floor replacement that some commissioners opposed), and (3) funding. The district has roughly $350,000 in a capital improvement reserve and budgeted consultant funds that could be applied to design fees, but commissioners noted that a full rebuild or major opening of the archway likely would require a bond referendum and public vote.

After the roll call vote the motion to replace the full apparatus floor carried; a separate motion to both replace the floor and open the archway failed for lack of support. The board asked staff to move forward with obtaining final design drawings and updated cost estimates so members can decide the procurement path and whether to pursue a referendum.

What happens next: the board directed staff to engage the architects for final plans and to return with cost estimates and a recommended procurement schedule; if the scope and costs rise to the level requiring a bond, a public referendum would be required.

Sources: Meeting transcript of the Eastchester Board of Fire Commissioners, June 11, 2026 (motions and roll call recorded).