After numerous attempts to get a decent bid, Fire Station 2 on Lakeville Rd. in Addison Twp. will finally be getting a much needed makeover during the first couple of weeks of November.
The company taking on the challenge is the Almont-based T&W Construction, who will begin by replacing the roof.
Station 2 is basically a pole barn constructed in 1987. It has needed major external improvements over the years.
Fire Chief George Spencer said the current wood deck roof with shingles has had numerous problems and that a new steel roof, like the Station 1 roof, will benefit the department in many ways.
‘We want the stations to appear similar and convey that we take good care of our stuff,? he said. The construction, which Spencer said would only take a couple days, will include removing and replacing deteriorated wood decking before the new steel roof is added.
‘We’re going to strip the shingles and find out what it’s really like underneath those shingles when we take them off.?
T&W Construction offered a bid of $37,494 to add the steel roof. An additional $7,000 was added to the cost for replacement of any rotten wood decking and fascia board. The roof replacement also includes new gutters and downspouts that match the new roof color.
Eventually, Spencer said the building will be repainted and new doors added.
In other purchasing news, the Addison Fire Department will also be buying a new One Ton Brush Truck for Station 1 that will be capable of plowing snow.
Romeo Ford offered a price of $31,721 for the truck, which will arrive in eight weeks. Spencer said the need for the new truck came about after plans on having the Village of Leonard plow for Station 1’s parking lot fell through. ‘Because of some logistic issues with the village, they weren’t able to do that,? he said.
The current 36-year-old brush truck is used for emergency and non-emergency response for brush, grass and other off road fire calls. Although it’s in good shape, it is old and he said it does raise some concerns regarding emergency response.
‘Due to a manual steering system and standard brake, it cannot be converted to effectively or safely plow snow,? he said.
Spencer said during the spring, summer and fall the new truck will be equipped with the same ‘light weight slide-in unit? that is on the older truck for water supply and fighting fires.
During winter months, the slide- in unit will be removed and a snow blade and salt spreader will be used for snow removal. ‘This will give our personnel two dependable off-road units for brush fires and will allow fire department personnel to do snow removal at Station 1, avoiding the cost of an outside contractor,? Spencer said.
The new snow plow on the truck will also help paid on-call firefighters if they’re stuck at home due to a heavy snowfall. ‘If we’re depending on you as a paid on-call firefighter to respond to a call, we have to make sure that you can get out or that you can respond on calls,? said Spencer.
The old brush truck will be put to use as a utility vehicle, bringing back equipment from calls, like fire hoses. Spencer said firefighters currently use their personal vehicles to transport these items.