A rendering of the exterior of the new fire station/public works facility as proposed.
The Salem Town Board reasserted its desire to move forward with a new Trevor fire station at a special meeting Thursday night.
The special meeting was called after a confused meeting on the facility took place Aug. 3. At that meeting, Supervisor Dennis Faber voted against moving forward and Chairman Linda Valentine abstained.
Thursday night, the measure passed unanimously.
The board also passed a series of other motions relating to awarding bids and other aspects of the $10.6 million project, sometimes after discussion.
Two measures were tabled or set aside for action in the future. One was the construction of a support well station. Town administrator Patrick Casey said some more information was needed before that process could continue. The board also tabled what to do with the current Trevor Fire Station, which will be replaced by the new facility. That matter was tabled until the town’s annual budget meeting in November.
Each board member spoke to their view on going ahead with the project. Here are some quotes:
Supervisor Dennis Faber: “I believe building that building together is the most economical way to go.” (Note: There has been some discussion of why not build in phases, say first the garage then the fire station.)
Supervisor Patrick O’Connell referring to the cost of the building and of financing: “I don’t think we’ll ever find a better economic situation.”
Supervisor Joe Meier: Referring to inadequate protection for town equipment offered by the current public works facility: “By God we’ve got to take care of what we have in the town. It’s not that I’m deaf to what I’m hearing out there … (but) no matter when we do this, people will be hurting.”
Supervisor Jo Weidman: “We’re never going to get better prices than now. We’re going to have to bite the bullet and do it. We’ve got to go with it.”
Chairman Linda Valentine preceded the meeting with a statement on her view that the facility was needed. Here’s some video of her comments:
The next step for town staff will be to start meeting with contractors who were awarded bids and getting site work started as soon as possible, Casey said.
The new facility will totally replace the town’s public works garage, also in Trevor.
A site plan for the new fire station/public works facility. (Click image for larger view)
