Fire station relocation choice concerns citizen By CINDY HENNING Most of us have learned to avoid driving on Old State Road around 3 p.m. on school days if at all possible. The traffic congestion can rival a Derby event. Imagine if you added emergency responders and their flashing, wailing lights and sirens to that mix of huge buses, new teen drivers and busy adults. Some people think that is a recipe for disaster. David Pace attended the September meeting of the Meade County Fire Protection District to express his concerns about using the old state garage site for a new fire station. Since he had been discussing the problems of that site with his magistrate, the late Ron Greenwell, Pace said he had just found out the board planned to finalize the decision to purchase that property. With over 750 to 850 cars going in and out each day at the high school being only one problem, Pace was also concerned that the building had lead-based paint and other hazardous issues. He requested the chance to show them what else was available. The board of trustees was responsive to his concerns and listened to his suggestions, but did not feel they could find a better location for their money. Trustee Martin Bosemer said they felt they had exhausted the possibilities of finding other locations within the limits of the district. Treasurer Bruno Ilario expressed his concern that a previously purchased location in the middle of town had already been judged inappropriate for their needs, and he did not want to see them left with nothing. They cited the other schools in Meade County had fire stations nearby without problems. Pace assured them that the traffic problems of elementary schools are different from the county high school. Chief Larry Naser said he would be more concerned with elementary children than high school students. He also said there had been only two serious traffic accidents involving fire runs in 15 years. Pace acknowledged that but declared that an accident could erase that good record in an instant. They agreed if Pace could find them a better site at a reasonable price, they could sell the garage site. After going into closed session, the members decided to purchase the Old State Road site in preparation for building the fire station in two or three years. In order to alleviate one of the concerns, Chief Naser introduced additional driving policy restrictions for emergency responders. They specifically addressed the observation of speed limits in school zones while school was in session. A new replacement engine bid for Station #2 was awarded to Seagrave at a cost of $315,400. KME made the only other bid at $296,464. Safety, resale value, warranty and specs were some of the reasons given for the higher priced choice. The engine should be delivered at the beginning of next summer. Trustee Bosemer figured it should be paid off in two years. The board then set the property tax rate for the 2006-2007 fiscal year at the same $0.075 on $100 as the previous year. Treasurer Ilario again spoke up for the need to keep the tax burden off the citizens since the budget has doubled in three years. Chief Naser and Chairman Mike Curl expressed a wish to see it raised to the full $0.10. Trustee Jim Anthony suggested that an extended budget plan be drawn up, so any tax raise could be justified. Trustee Anthony asked Chief Naser to present that plan by next February. The chief reported 33 fire runs last month with an average of 10 firefighters at each. He discussed two grants. FEMA has contacted him twice about details on a grant for generators and exhaust systems that would entail a $10,000 investment. A forestry grant was awarded and will require a matching $5,000. Some Arch Chemicals staff are being trained by the fire department. Thirteen district firefighters attended Jefferson County Fire School this month. The district will be participating in the Meade County Fire School on Oct. 1 and 2, then going to county schools on Oct. 12 and 13 for fire prevention. The board went into closed session to discuss personnel issues. The following actions were taken. Jason Jones was given engineer status with six months probation. Jay Burns completed his suspension. Three people, Bruce Wardrip, Rachel Wardrip and Jonathan Perguson, were placed on inactive status to make room for new applicants. Andrew Curl, Logan Barnard, Linda Barnard, Matt McCullough and Richard Polston were recognized as probationary firefighters at various ability levels. Chairman Mike Curl, trustees Martin Bosemer, Bruno Ilario, Jim Anthony, Terry Carter and Chief Larry Naser then adjourned the nearly two hour meeting.
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