From the desk of Heidi and Richard Sagar

Because of the weather, the Fire Services Study Committee scheduled for tonight is postponed until tomorrow night (Wednesday, November 28, at 6:00 PM, downstairs in the Town Hall.)

Fire Services Study Committee  DRAFT Meeting Minutes for  November 13, 2018

Committee Members Present: Don Beaudin, Douglas Erb, Kathy Parsons, Richard Sagar.

There were 3 people in the audience

Meeting opened at 6:05 PM.

• The meeting opened with Doug’s reading of the Town Warrant Article authorizing the Committee’s work.
• There was discussion of the minutes of the October 4, 2018 meeting. A revision was made to correct an error in a statement attributed to Kathy.  The first two sentences of paragraph four were changed to read:  Kathy was concerned that the question of possible compensation for the firefighters was not taken seriously enough.  She felt that it was important to consider the added Town expense if the firefighters were to be compensated in the future.  The amended minutes were approved.
• Doug reported that he had not yet been in contact with Lisbon Fire Chief Greg Hartwell to invite him to meet with the Committee. He indicated that he would do so, and hopes to have him attend the next meeting.
• Don gave the Committee an update on possible renovations and improvements to the fire station. He is awaiting a proposal from Thad Presby for the work.  Don reported that the cost for lowering the floor and installing a heated apron would be too expensive to consider.  An estimate for a well was about $10,000 depending upon the depth.  Kevin Schofield located an acceptable area for a septic system that would be usable with either the existing station or a new structure.  The present perk test is valid for two years.  Kevin did not provide an estimate.
• Dave Bensman asked why there was any need to make improvements to the building. Doug explained the need to address the various building issues.  He said that some of the issues, particularly the water and septic, were a matter of basic human respect.  Ben Peters also expressed the need to improve the building and provide water and septic.
• Don said that Thad Presby will also provide an estimate for a basic building shell. Ben Peters said the size was comparable to the garage that he had built a few years ago, and said that his cost had been about $32,000 without labor.  He added that as a municipal building there would be added codes to comply with, which could add significant cost to any new structure.  Doug suggested that a bond issue might be a way for the Town to spread the costs over a longer period.
• Don also reported that Landaff resident Rick Anderson has volunteered his experience in the building trades, and will provide an estimate and design for a building at no cost.
• There was an extended discussion of the pending report to be submitted to the Town by December 1, 2018. The areas to be included were agreed upon.  Doug said that we would do our best to present the facts, but that some opinions would also need to be included.  Richard was assigned to prepare a draft of the report based on the Committee’s discussions.  The Committee members will work on that draft via e-mail, and try to finalize it at the next meeting.
• Various options were discussed for how to distribute the report. Suggestions included, posting on the Town Website and Landaff Ledger, with copies available at the Town Hall.
• It was decided that a copy of the report, along with all supporting documentation, would be given to the Town Clerk for archiving.
• Heidi Sagar will compile a spreadsheet, using the Fire Department call records, to estimate what the costs would have been if contracting with Lisbon.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM. The next meeting to be announced.

Respectfully submitted, Heidi Sagar