FIRE STATION
BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING (FSBC)
June 15, 2015
In attendance, in alphabetical order: Joe Lingel, Vice Chairman Dennis Moran, Mike Pivero, Jim Ryan
and Jim White. Fire Chief John Alcaidinho, Jim Holland, Trisha McCarthy and Chairman Dale Putnam
were excused. Secretary Barbara White transcribed the minutes.
Call Meeting to Order
Mr. Moran called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm.
Acceptance of Minutes
Mr. Moran asked for a MOTION to approve the May minutes.
Mr. Moran MOVED to accept the May 18 minutes as submitted; Mr. Pivero seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
Review Chief's Wish List
Fire Chief Alcaidinho was not able to be in attendance, but Mr. Ryan had a preliminary list of items needing to be included in a new station. He distributed copies and the members reviewed the items and tweaked some. From the list which listed 5 bays, they ascertained that 4 bays was the minimum needed with space to store the command vehicle which added up to 4 1/2 bays. They also discussed the possibility of including sleeping quarters for overnight staff.
There was much discussion regarding monies that would need to be spent to make the fixes at the central station, which was significant. There had been an energy audit at the central station which indicates they need a new furnace, there is no insulation in the walls or ceiling, the windows are single-ply and they might need a new roof very soon. Also the ramp needs to be fixed.
Discussion ensued about the possibility of using the existing building at the Merrimac Road site and some different scenarios. Although it would not be as nice as a new fire station, the thought was that asking the residents for $100,000 - $200,000 towards making the existing metal building usable as a functioning fire station would make more sense than asking for $50,000 -$100,000 to Band-Aid the central station, only to have to pump more money into it at a later date. Mr. Moran calculated for $200,000 it would be a $3.50 impact to the taxpayers.
Mr. Pivero noted there were only three reasonable proposals to consider: 1) ask to build a new fire station; 2) retrofit the central station - which has limitations; or 3) use the metal building at the Merrimac Road site.
Board members decided they would like to see the existing building to make a better determination of what could be done, so they scheduled a site walk for the next meeting.
Everyone will meet at the 8 Merrimac location at 7:00 pm on July 20 and tour the existing building. Mrs. White will contact the Town Administrator to arrange access.
Discussion for Open House / Fire Association
There is no set schedule at this time. Mrs. White reported she had communication with the Town Administrator in regard to the discussion about donations in the May minutes. The minutes stated that all donations made to the Fire Department would go into the Fire Association account. Mrs. Wrigley corrected that statement. Any donations made out to the Fire Department will go into the General Fund. Donations made to the Fire Association would stay with the association for whatever use they choose. Somehow we need to get the word out to the citizens that if they want to make a donation, it should be made out to the Newton Fire Association so the monies can be used for the Fire Station.
Mr. Ryan reported the Association has a tax ID number but does not have tax exempt status yet; that is in the works.
Discuss July/Aug meetings - necessary to cancel due to vacations?
All members attending noted they had no problems with the upcoming meeting dates and saw no need to cancel any meetings. Only Mr. Pivero will not be able to make the July meeting.
Next Month's Agenda
- Site visit at 8 Merrimac Rd at 7:00 pm July 20th
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 pm. Next meeting is July 20th.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara White
Barbara White
Secretary
Fire Station Building Committee
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