The Skaneateles village board heard a presentation from architect Bob Eggleston on the possibility of mounting the fire siren on the roof of the police department building, at its Aug. 28 meeting.
Mayor Marty Hubbard had previously released a statement saying that the siren would be put back into operation at 26 Fennell St. with the conditions proposed by the fire department: six rings between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. for fires and only for structure fires or other emergencies during the night.
The siren was mounted on the roof of the new village hall before the renovations were done, however that will no longer be possible because the roof will soon be covered with photovoltaic cells.
Eggleston said that mounting the siren inside of a metal-frame cupola on top of the building to the rear of the village hall would be a more aesthetically pleasing option than on top of a pole, the option that the fire department has suggested.
The siren, which is 33-years-old, it is still in working condition though it will need to be refurbished.
After hearing that the board is interested in pursuing the option further, Eggleston said he will do more research and return with a cost estimate, though he said it would likely cost less than $10,000.
The building was originally a barn that has had several additions put on over the years. It was once home to SAVES and currently holds the village police department, though it will be moving to the new village hall in the near future, leaving it vacant. The future of the building, or what it will be used in the future, for has yet to be determined by the village.
Eggleston said that despite the inexpensively furnished exterior, he thought the building was in good condition and could still be put to good use.
“This is a structurally sound building that has nothing wrong with it, and sure they could have done a better siding job on it, but it’s not bad as it is,” he said.
Hubbard added that any expenses associated with mounting the siren would be considered part of the total cost of the village hall project.
In other business:
—The board moved to award the bid for the painting and maintenance for the water tower to the Rockwood Corporation, a construction company based in Lyons Falls, N.Y. Their bid of $92,131 was the lowest out of the five that the village received.
—Hubbard said that the police department’s part of the new village hall should be inspected and ready to move into by Aug. 28, though they can take their time moving in if needed.
Director of Municipal Operations Bob Lotkowictz said that the photovoltaic cells are part-way through being installed on the roof and they should be hooked up and start having an impact on the village power grid by the end of September.
“The meter will be spinning backwards in the summer time,” he said.
The board also recognized Lotkowictz for receiving a letter from the state congratulating him on proposing and receiving approval to open a formerly emergency-only valve to provide better water pressure to the village’s hydrants. Due to the village’s ultra-violet light disinfection system, the water from the valve is suitable for drinking, unlike under the old system which required a certain amount of contact time with the disinfectants.
Joe Genco is the editor of the Skaneateles Press. He can be reached at [email protected].
