Alna Facilities Planning CommitteeBack to Meeting & Minutes Page Date: September 10,2007 Time: 7:00 - 9:00 Location: Alna Firehouse Meeting Minutes:
Alna Facilities Planning Committee
Minutes for Meeting of 9/10/07
Alna Fire Station 7:00 P.M.
Present: Nick Caristo (NC), John Green (JG), Gordon Davis (GD), Fred Gumkowski (FG), and Kathy Pendleton (KP)
Absent: Tom Albee, Cliff Russell and Brian Lawrence
Also in attendance: Mike Trask
JG opened the meeting at 7:10 with the first agenda item dealing with a discussion on expanding the size of the committee. At the conclusion of the discussion, it was decided that Hardy Banfield would be added to the committee considering his background in construction and experience on the 1st building committee. It was also agreed that a non-voting member from the Alna VFD would be present at each meeting. It need not be the same person each time. All present agreed on the above two points.
Then a general discussion ensued with Mike Trask with the committee asking how the AVFD determined the spec requirements for their proposal. Various points were explored and debated back and forth. The committee felt it was important to understand the AVFD thinking in order to thoroughly evaluate its proposal. The committee made several helpful suggestions for the Fire Dept to ponder further. Mike suggested that possibly we may want the County EMA Director to speak before us. Regarding plans for capital equipment, Mike noted that the short term plan was to replace the 1973 brush truck while, longer term, there were no plans to increase the number of fire department vehicles.
NC and JG discussed the schedule for the remainder of the year with particular emphasis on selecting a date for a public meeting before year end. We all agreed on the following dates: 10/15, 10/29, 11/19, 12/3 and 12/17. 12/3 was selected as the date for a public meeting to provide the town with a progress report.
JG then asked each committee member to give his or her impression of the tour of the Jefferson Fire House. There was a clear consensus that their facility was excellent but more elaborate than we needed. However, it provided a clear guide for some of the things Alna should consider for its facility.
Next, a discussion of whether we should solicit citizen input for our deliberations and how this might be done. A survey, by e-mail, snail mail or phone was discussed. However, the consensus was that we were responsible for the options to be considered and we would use our judgment in making that determination. Nick then handed out a short survey form for the committee to complete by the next meeting which will be a launch point for our discussions on building options. It is possible that as few as 2 options could be presented to the public for their consideration.
As requested at the last meeting, Kathy reported on the impact to the Town’s insurance rating if the AVFD did not exist. Alna currently has a rating of 9. Mike stated that the Fire Dept would like to gain a rating of 8 for the town. If the town were to consolidate with surrounding fire companies and eliminate its own, our rating would go to the poorest rating of 10 with resulting insurance cost increases and risk impacts to residents. The committee does not advocate consolidation.
Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday 9/24 at 7 PM at the firehouse.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00.
Respectfully Submitted.
Gordon Davis
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