Municipal building Task Force

Work Session- 11/17/09

We met with the departments that utilize the Fire Station. Present were Bob Hofstetter and Ed Thayer (Emergency Operations), Bob Wright (Rescue Squad) and Brian Moser (Fire Department). Chief Marshall was unable to make the meeting due to a last minute highway accident in town.

Tom Taylor went over the requirement priorities that had been established in previous meetings with department heads, explaining that the process now looks to their working together to come up with compromises that work best for all concerned.

Ed Thayer started a discussion that the fire station in E. Washington will work far into the foreseeable future. He suggested that a future purchase of a smaller vehicle for that facility may quicken response to fires throughout the town. It was agreed that it may be prudent to sell the land that has been set aside for a new facility in that part of town.

Bob Wright stated that within 5 years volunteers may not be available for coverage with the rescue vehicle at all times. It would be impractical to expect a paid individual to sit for hours in the present building with any comfort. This led to discussion of the practicality of hiring a full time employee that was trained for EMT and Fire expertise who might also work for the Highway Department.

The subject matter then changed to limitations with the present Fire, EOC and Rescue station. It was agreed that the ventilation of running vehicles is an unhealthy situation that should be corrected within 5 years and will be difficult to achieve in the present building. The crew ready room is sufficient at this time. The truck bay size is sufficient for now but will need to be corrected in the 5 to 10 year window. If it becomes necessary to hire personnel in the future, the crew ready room will need some additional space for quiet resting. A decontamination room (shower and sink clean up) has not been needed up to this time. However if a serious disease or chemical situation were to arise, the current practice of going home to clean up would endanger families.

The suggestion that the purchase of a cold storage unit would alleviate current office and storage problems was well received. Ed Thayer said an adequate used facility could be purchased for approximately $2500 to $3000. Bob Wright stated that it would relieve storage limitations for the Rescue Squad and all agreed it would do much to assist the Fire Department and Emergency Operations in solving their storage and office limitations.

It was agreed that an addition to the present building would solve needs into the foreseeable future, without acquiring additional land. Discussion about the current lease limitations led to the thought that perhaps there should be an attempt to acquire the property by suggesting the present owner pursue a tax write off through donating it to the town. If that fails, inquiry should be made as to how inexpensively it could be purchased. If a good deal cannot be reached, then continuation of the lease is fine with all concerned.