Slow/steady planning will give N. Branch the <BR>fire hall it needs and wants for next 50 years

Posted 3/14/01

Slow/steady planning will give N. Branch the
fire hall it needs and wants for next 50 years

By Jason Sileo

Plans and construction proposals for a new North Branch Fire Station are in the most preliminary of stages at this time and will not materialize until a suitable site for the new facility is secured.
This is the word from North Branch City Administrator John Moosey who is working closely with a citizensí advisory group regarding the facility.

The new fire station was approved in a November referendum and will be constructed at a cost of about $1.8 million.

First thingsí first, Moosey said: an appropriate, two-acre site is the cityís primary consideration at the moment.

ìOur first goal is to examine our community and try to find out where there is a good location for the fire station,î Moosey said Monday morning. ìWe have an idea of what property is available and not available which would be suitable. Once we get the site then we can really start to work on the fire stationís design.î

The citizensí advisory group was set to meet with city officials for the first time Tuesday, March 13, as the project begins its forward roll.

Moosey said the structure would be centrally-located in the city in order to provide balanced coverage, and that current plans call for building the facility in the spring and summer of 2002.
ìMy plan is to have the property purchased and the plans and specifications done this year,î Moosey said, ìand bid this winter for the 2002 construction season. It just makes sense to do it that way.î

ìItís got to be on the main strip; centrally-located,î Moosey said. ìThe firemen need to be able to get in and out very quickly.î
Moosey said the city wants to take its time with the project and make sure itís done right the first time.

The city administrator said public input on the project is always welcome, and concerned citizens may call him at city hall with their input. Fire Chief Don Brown and Mayor John Pinsonneault will also accept comment on the pending project, Moosey said.

ìThe fire station we have is working; itís not adequate but it is working,î he said, citing one reason for a calm and collected approach to the new stationís development.

ìThis fire station is something weíre planning, certainly, on having in this community for 50 years or more,î he said. ìSo if it takes us six months longer ó with the community behind us to make sure we do it right ó we think thatís much better than putting something together very quickly.î

The plans and proposals arrived upon at meetings between city officials and the citizensí advisory group will be brought forth for public review at appropriate times in the processí timeline, he said.

In this way, everyone has a chance to see where the project is at and to make suggestions or criticisms if they wish.

Moosey did say, however, that a public meeting held in December on the topic was attended primarily by volunteer firemen in the city and by just a handful of citizens. Diverse input, he suggested, would certainly be welcome.

Moosey also cited an informal survey which will be distributed shortly with the cityís newsletter. The survey will allow for citizen input on a fairly wide variety of city issues, he said, in addition to the new fire station.