A month after revoking its conditional approval of the North West Fire District’s request for an exemption from the Planned Development District zoning on Smokey Hollow Road, the village of Baldwinsville board of trustees have given new life to the NWFD’s proposal to build a fire response station.
The board voted July 16 to approve the PDD exemption request after fire district officials, their attorney and developers provided the village with more information about firefighter response times, alternate sites and the size and scope of the new station.
Mayor Dick Clarke addressed the idea that the village was “dragging its feet” in considering the fire district’s request. He said that was not the case, but the village wanted to do its due diligence in determining the best outcome in the interest of public safety.
“We have several residents here who deserve us taking time. We have residents up in that part of the village who might get better fire protection who deserve us taking time,” Clarke said. “We’ve taken time.”
Jeff Budrow, an engineer with Weston and Sampson, presented an abridged version of a three-hour discussion and report between fire district representatives and members of the village board, village engineer Steve Darcangelo and village attorney Bob Baldwin.
The report included more detailed information about how the new station would affect individual firefighters’ response times, what other locations the NWFD considered, specifics of the proposed site plan and ISO ratings, which determine insurance rates for fire protection districts.
The report detailed the shortcomings of the current Elizabeth Street station, such as its small size, poor utilities and needed roof repairs. The station is also at the end of a dead-end street, which is not a safe place to have a fire station since there’s only one route in and out.
NWFD attorney Doug Zamelis gave an overview of the district’s ISO ratings. While the district scored the best possible rating of 1 on receiving and handling fire alarms and a “very good” 3 on water supply, Zamelis said “there’s room for improvement” with the district’s fire department rating. The NWFD received a 5 — “not very good.”
Zamelis explained that the new station could improve the fire department rating, which could lead to lower fire insurance rates, but that is up to ISO, not the district or the village.
Zamelis also addressed another major concern of the residents: sirens.
“In most circumstances, we expect the siren [on the truck] wouldn’t have to be operated until Oswego Street,” Zamelis said. “For better or for worse, sirens are meant to be heard.”
Fire Commissioner Louise Rutherford said the BVFC decides whether to use sirens based on whether the call is a “red” or “white” call. Red calls are for serious emergencies that mean imminent danger such as a fire or a heart attack. White calls are for less serious matters that do not put the public at immediate harm, such as carbon monoxide alarm checks.
While Clarke said response times were not a huge factor of consideration for the board’s decision, as the roster of the Baldwinsville Volunteer Fire Company will change as older members retire and newer ones are recruited, the NWFD report included statistics on individual firefighters’ response times.
Currently, the average Station 3 firefighter must drive 1.1 miles from their home to Station 3 on Elizabeth Street. The average response time is 3 minutes and 18 seconds. The proposed Smokey Hollow Road station would reduce the average distance to 0.7 miles and the response time to a little more than 2 minutes, depending on the time of day.
As for the new station, it will be 12,735 gross square feet on a 11,500-square-foot footprint, as there will be a small upper mezzanine area with office and storage space. The site plan has not changed from the plan the district has submitted to the village planning board, which next meets at 7:30 p.m. July 28.
“Good luck — the planning board awaits you,” Clarke said.
Also on the agenda
-Baldwin Canal Square fees: The parks committee has finalized the exclusive use agreement and refundable security deposit prices for the use of Baldwin Canal Square. The base fee for the exclusive use agreement is $50 and the base security deposit is $100. For larger events, the village will assess an impact fee. In that case, coordinators for larger-scale events will pay the base $50 plus the impact fee and the refundable security deposit will be equal to the impact fee plus $100.
-Wedding at PMI: Schuyler Burke of Fulton will be able to get married at Paper Mill Island next year. The board of trustees voted to allow Burke to reserve the island for her wedding July 17, 2016. Since the village gives festival and concert promoters priority at the island, the board had to pass a resolution giving Burke permission to reserve the island prior to May 2016.
-Canton Woods: Mayor Dick Clarke assured residents that the Canton Woods Senior Center is not in dire straits financially.
While Van Buren Town Councilor Howard Tupper recently made a plea for donations for the center, Clarke said the center experienced a “predicted shortfall in the budget last year.” He said times are tough for many local municipalities and agencies, so the towns of Van Buren and Lysander may have to revisit their contributions to Canton Woods.
“That being said … our senior center is recognized as one of the best in the state,” Clarke said, noting that Canton Woods is a model for other communities’ senior centers.
Clarke urged residents to donate their time and cash to local organizations as a whole.
