An amended proposal to spend $21,000 to construct and furnish living quarters at Fire Station #1 was unanimously approved by Oxford Township officials last week.
‘They did come back and they trimmed it,? said Supervisor Bill Dunn. ‘I think it’s a lot better.?
The fire department originally requested $32,065 to construct and furnish living quarters at Station #1 and furnish existing living quarters at Station #2.
Living quarters are necessary as the department tentatively plans to have both stations manned 24-7 when it begins offering Advanced Life Support services sometime in December.
But township officials questioned some of the proposed expenses, such as $2,700 for three refrigerators for Station #1. At the time, Dunn characterized the requests as ‘excessive? and called the proposal a ‘wish list.?
‘I told them I wasn’t happy,? Dunn said. ‘I didn’t like the (total) amount.?
The fire department met with Dunn and whittle down its proposal for both stations to a bare-bones minimum for Station #1 only.
At the bottom of the new list it was noted that ‘additional items may still be needed and would be asked for at a later date (small appliances, dishes, etc.).?
Fire Chief Jack LeRoy said the main priority is to get the living quarters built now and see what additional items are needed later.
‘They’re going to try to phase this,? Dunn said.
Approved spending includes $16,000 for building materials and $2,000 for labor to convert the fire inspector’s office into a bunkroom and transform a storage room and adjacent break room into a day room and kitchen.
The remainder of the approved expenses include one refrigerator ($1,000), range oven ($700), dishwasher ($400), microwave ($300) and table/chairs ($600).
Trustee Behnke asked why the refrigerator price was $900 each for three, but now $1,000 for one unit.
‘This is one larger refrigerator with water and ice-making (capabilities),? LeRoy said.
Trustee Sue Bellairs asked why the beds and mattresses were deleted from the list.
LeRoy explained there was already money set aside in this year’s budget for the bunks.