Fire Ellenville Fire District Chief George Budd this week announced that Pioneer Fire Company No 1 has officially sold its building at 73 Center Street, also known as the iconic Norbury Hall.

“Although the fire company is still active, we are under the roof of the Ellenville Fire District,” Budd explained. “With the membership dwindling over last 15 years and no new members coming in, it was inevitable.”

He continued, “I personally have a ton of great memories in that building starting in March 1983. I met my wife and best friend of 39 years in the Norbury Hall, I took my first NYS fire course there, celebrated many first-place wins at parades, and also have seen and experienced a lot of sorrow. Made a lot of friends and lost a lot. I could go on and on. An end of an era, see you later old girl, you served us great for many years.”

The purchaser is Dan Khasidy, who grew up in New York City, but remembers visits to the Nevele and elsewhere in our area in the late 80s and early 90s. Khasidy gave major props to the fire company in a statement. “Throughout this whole process, Butch Distel and everyone from the Pioneer Fire Company, who were the original tenants of the building, have been nothing but a joy to deal with. We are grateful to them and to Ellenville for being such great partners in this deal.”

Khasidy said of Norbury Hall, “One of the most historic buildings in the area. The Norbury is a testament to change through time with so much brilliance and beauty coming through its doors since 1904. We look forward to learning more about the story of the village through the building and honoring what it stands for. The Norbury will continue to be a pillar of local use and enjoyment into the future.”

The price was not revealed today. Talking of this adventure, Khasidy said he was feeling, “excitement, joy, gratitude, all of that, heck yes!” However, his plans for the space are yet to be determined.