Finally, the firehouse report in final
John Nickerson, right, speaks with residents after the meeting
July 25, 2008
by Gene Nadel
In its efforts to replace Fire Station No. 1 in downtown Millwood,the board of fire commissioners hired a consultant to help determine the proper size of a new firehouse. After several delays, the report is finally out.
The board told the 30 residents who came to Fire Station No. 2 last Wednesday night that they appreciated public participation in the process and hoped that many residents would take the time to read the report, available on the fire district’s website, millwoodfiredistrict.org.
After thanking JLN Associates for tackling a “thorny” job, the board turned the meeting over to Jim Healy of JLN Associates, who patiently reviewed the contents of the report in a slide presentation. Then Healy and partner John Nickerson responded with lucid explanations to most questions raised by commissioners and residents.
The report offered a number of constructive suggestions for improvement in present fire district record keeping procedures. Attendees, consisting of both long time followers of fire district matters as well as residents who were less knowledgeable of the complex history, appeared to be primarily concerned with the potential cost of the proposed new Fire Station No.1.
Report recommends smaller square footage than board’s resolution
While the report does not deal with specific dollar amounts, it does go into projected square footage requirements for a new structure and, based on its projections, concludes that 18, 382 square feet would be adequate. This figure compares with a proposed 19,809 figure previously determined by the fire commissioners and reconfirmed in a resolution (by a 3-1 vote) at the June 23rd BOFC meeting. A significantly lower figure – of around 15,000 square feet – has been proposed by the West End Neighborhood Taxpayers, a citizens’ organization.
One major outstanding issue which could involve a fairly significant cost is the question of design for “drive-through” bays, as opposed to the more traditional “back-in” bays. More facts and figures are likely to be examined before a final decision is made on this matter. Additional decisions on the size and location of various rooms and facilities within the proposed new structure are still to be addressed.
It is abundantly clear to most observers that much more is to take place before a final plan, as presented in connection with a necessary bond referendum, is presented to the public. The matter is scheduled for New Castle planning board review on September 16, 2008.
Further discussion and deliberations are expected to take place at the regularly scheduled July meeting of the BOFC which will take place this Monday, July 28th at 7:30 pm at Firehouse #2 on Route 134.
Jim Healy and John Nickerson of JLN Associates
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