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Message |
    
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 1731
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 1:12 pm: | 
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I see in todays News Record that within the $3.7 million bond ordancnce introduced by the Trustees is $300,000 to finish the firehouse. It seems like a small amount to me.. will this really do it? Are we finally going to get the men out of those trailors? Is there a light at the end of the tunnell? And Marc.... if the house is actually going to be finished... when might we expect repair of the truck with the big ladder? |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 1663
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 1:39 pm: |
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SoOrLady: I just want to clarify some misconceptions about the firehouse repairs. First, the fire chief has been involved in the process from day one along with the village administrator. This project which originally was estimated at just over $2,000,000 (I know if we go back a few more years it was $1,800,000). An architect was chosen (a firm that had experience with firehouses and historic buildings and considered "the best").
So while the last amount needed was another $300,000 there has actually been several other bond ordinances in between as the bids came in significantly higher than the estimates the arhcitecual firm was telling us.
Since this has been such an important project we have done whatever we could to make sure the repairs could be done.
The trailers were one of at least two options that the fire chief and the administrator presented to us. The BOT went with the option they thought was best for the firefighters (and was recommended by fire chief).
The current contract for the final phase is expected to be completed within one year.
I expect the ladder truck repair to be completed fairly soon. The fire chief will be giving us an update at the next meeting (02/14/05) and I am hoping that he will tell us the truck is back in operation by then. Every piece of equipment needs repairs from time to time and unfortunately with fire trucks you can't just bring one to the local mechanic.
One point I want to reitierate is that the BOT is required to review the financial aspects each time and so far we have agreed to make sure the money was available to get the project done and to the satisfaction of the fire chief. It is unfortunate that a reputable architectual firm was unable to give us accurate cost information and that has been the biggest reason for the delays.
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snshirsch
Citizen
Username: Snshirsch
Post Number: 332
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 3:09 pm: |
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So was the architectural firm held accountable in any way? I know on many projects it is common practice that the contract include holdbacks and inducements to make sure that the work is done correctly and within the time frame set. It really should not be much different here. Was the contract with the architectural firm paid in full? What guarantees were given? Does the village ever include these clauses in their contracts? |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 1665
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 3:33 pm: |
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snhirsch: The biggest issue was the estimates given did not come close to the actual bids. Some things in municipal contracts are not the same as they would be in private contracts. These things can be very frustrating - especially timewise - but hopefully we are ready for the final phase. We will pursue whatever we can legally as long as it makes sense financially to the village. I would rather not get into a dialogue about the legal options the village has available, mostly because I am not an attorney and would not want to make a misstatement.
As of now, the main goal is to get the firehouse renovation completed. |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 1732
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 4:53 pm: |
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Thank you Marc, I knew that the repairs have been done in stages. I just know how quickly money disappears during construction/renovation projects and wanted to make sure enough was ear-marked to finish the job. While the trailers may have been the best option for housing, it must hurt morale for our fire fighters to have been in them for so long. Glad to hear that within a year they will have a facility they and our townfolk can be proud of. |
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