Alna Facilities Planning Committee

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Date: July 16,2007

Time: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Location: Alna Firehouse

Meeting Minutes:

Alna Facilities Planning Committee

Minutes for Meeting of 7/16/07

Fire Station 7:00 P.M.

Present: Tom Albee (TA), Nick Caristo (NC), Gordon Davis (GD), John Green (JG), Fred Gumkowski (FG), Kathy Pendleton (KP), Brian Lawrence (BL)

Absent: Cliff Russell (CR)

Guest Speaker: Sheridan Bond

The meeting was opened by JG who asked GD to introduce the invited speaker for the evening, Sheridan Bond, who is the assistant Fire Chief of the Jefferson Fire Dept. Sheridan provided a fascinating 2 ½ hour discourse on how the Jefferson Fire Dept developed their plans, arranged financing, selected their architect and contractor and worked to engaged town support for the new building. The major points are bulleted below:

• Jefferson FD is incorporated as is Alna’s and built on town land


• Selected John Hansen as architect and hired him to do the initial needs assessment study, site selection and make recommendations on required building functions.


• They raised their initial funding (approx 40k) through bean suppers, bake sales, etc. Remainder of funding done through conventional 20 year financing with local bank.


• Final building configuration was 60’x90’ long with 17’ ceilings, single story, wood frame, cement clapboard siding, colonial style and built on a slab foundation.


• There are 3 bays, in-floor radiant heating and the overhead doors of “Garaga” manufacture (Canadian). Suggested that the doors face East or South to allow sun to melt drive in front of doors.


• The building also has a 50’x 40’ “L” attached for all other functions.


• The building committee was comprised only of firemen.


• Their committee visited 10 to 12 other comparable fire stations in this area.


• A major point of discussion made by Sheridan was his strong recommendation not to allow construction of or combining the Town office functions with the Fire house.

The principle reason for the last bullet above was his experience in witnessing safety conflicts between firemen preparing to rush to an emergency scene and citizens attending to their business at the town office and possibly being in the way. There are also potential problems with cars parking in front of fire engine doorways.

Jefferson selected Eastern Construction Co as their building contractor. Alna was invited to stop by Jefferson’s firehouse anytime (best with prior notice) to see their facility. Sheridan also offered to consult further with us should we wish.

The Speaker left approx 9:20. JG and NC stated that, in preparation for the next meeting they would study the “Fred Bowers” report to begin to transition information from it into our deliberations. We all agreed to take Sheridan up on his offer and visit the Jefferson Station

The most important agenda item for the next meeting (7/30/07) will be to develop the committee’s position in preparation for inevitable questions which may be asked at the special Town meeting being held on Aug. 8^th .

JG asked GD to send a thank-you note to Sheridan for his time this evening.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:35.

Respectfully Submitted.

Gordon Davis