Town board backs ARVAC building plan and 75‑year lease framework

The Riverhead Town Board advanced several actions to clear the way for a new facility for the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corp (ARVAC). Officials said the project will combine a single‑story garage area sized for ambulance equipment with multi‑story office, bunk and training space, and that ARVAC has raised substantial private funds to support construction.

Board materials and a speaker at the meeting noted ARVAC had raised funds toward the project; a presenter said ARVAC had raised $6.4 million and that the remaining costs are expected to be covered by bond allocations and ambulance fees. The board authorized public notice for a Monroe balancing hearing and later adopted a resolution approving an agreement with ARVAC subject to permissive referendum, giving ARVAC long-term occupancy security (a 25‑year initial lease with five 10‑year renewal options, for up to 75 years).

Gary Lake, speaking for ARVAC, thanked the board and said the lease and the town’s partnership reduced uncertainty for volunteers: “Once again, thanks for the 75‑year lease. That just takes a lot of stress off of us.” ARVAC representatives described frequent coordination with town staff and the liaison and said the arrangement would allow ARVAC to continue recruiting and running training programs for future EMTs.

Why it matters: The project will replace an aging facility and aims to preserve volunteer ambulance coverage in Riverhead. The agreement’s long lease and the town’s decision to process bonding and sewer hookups are significant for ARVAC’s financing and operations; the resolution moves the project into permitting and bonding steps rather than authorizing construction funding from general revenues.

The board recorded its votes on the notices and the agreement; the ARVAC agreement was approved subject to permissive referendum as noted in the resolution.