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Town considering new fire station
By Ashley Rhodebeck
Daily News staff writer
The Town of Beloit Board of Supervisors took preliminary steps Monday toward building a fire station.
Town Administrator Robert Museus will present the supervisors with a draft of a resolution outlining their intent to replace the headquarters at Newark and Afton roads at a meeting Aug. 11.
The board then will vote on the resolution at its Aug. 18 meeting. If passed, the supervisors would have to make a budget amendment to fund an architect's study.
The study should provide estimates on how much a station would cost.
Deciding to move forward with the fire department's plea for new facilities came nearly two months after the supervisors toured station No. 1 and much frustration from the fire department staff.
“The firefighters are the only department that goes out and does fundraising for the town,” Fire Department Chief Dennis Ahrens said. “All we're asking for is a decent building, and we can't even get that.”
Station No. 1 was constructed in 1956, has undergone several renovations and needs roofing repairs about every time it rains. In fact, the department is seeking bids for roof work.
Board Chairman Greg Groves said it's time the town “bites the bullet,” and Supervisor Dick LaMonte agreed the town can't put it off forever.
Supervisor Shannon Ladwig also supported the project, saying the men and women who work for the fire department deserve to work in a building that is structurally safe and does not leak.
The building wouldn't have to be glamorous, she said, just functional, like the new police department on Inman Parkway.
“I think that's all the fire department wants, too,” she said.
Building a fire department to today's standards would also let the town purchase bigger and taller equipment. It has been buying supplies to fit the building.
Supervisor David Townsend was among the few who questioned whether now is the proper time to pursue such a project in light of the poor economy. Many said the station won't ever be built if they depend on that aspect improving.
However, one opposed pursuing the project for those reasons. He recalled growing up not long after the Great Depression and warned his peers many of the town's elderly residents would also remember that time and be wary about spending money on a new building.
“You sure ain't going to get a vote from me at this point in time,” Phil Taber said, noting he would only change his mind if something drastic happened.
Town Administrator Robert Museus will present the supervisors with a draft of a resolution outlining their intent to replace the headquarters at Newark and Afton roads at a meeting Aug. 11.
The board then will vote on the resolution at its Aug. 18 meeting. If passed, the supervisors would have to make a budget amendment to fund an architect's study.
The study should provide estimates on how much a station would cost.
Deciding to move forward with the fire department's plea for new facilities came nearly two months after the supervisors toured station No. 1 and much frustration from the fire department staff.
“The firefighters are the only department that goes out and does fundraising for the town,” Fire Department Chief Dennis Ahrens said. “All we're asking for is a decent building, and we can't even get that.”
Station No. 1 was constructed in 1956, has undergone several renovations and needs roofing repairs about every time it rains. In fact, the department is seeking bids for roof work.
Board Chairman Greg Groves said it's time the town “bites the bullet,” and Supervisor Dick LaMonte agreed the town can't put it off forever.
Supervisor Shannon Ladwig also supported the project, saying the men and women who work for the fire department deserve to work in a building that is structurally safe and does not leak.
The building wouldn't have to be glamorous, she said, just functional, like the new police department on Inman Parkway.
“I think that's all the fire department wants, too,” she said.
Building a fire department to today's standards would also let the town purchase bigger and taller equipment. It has been buying supplies to fit the building.
Supervisor David Townsend was among the few who questioned whether now is the proper time to pursue such a project in light of the poor economy. Many said the station won't ever be built if they depend on that aspect improving.
However, one opposed pursuing the project for those reasons. He recalled growing up not long after the Great Depression and warned his peers many of the town's elderly residents would also remember that time and be wary about spending money on a new building.
“You sure ain't going to get a vote from me at this point in time,” Phil Taber said, noting he would only change his mind if something drastic happened.
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