A request to purchase three refrigerators at a cost of $900 each for Oxford Fire Station #1 did not sit well with township officials last week.
‘It just seems like a wish list,? said Supervisor Bill Dunn. ‘It just seems excessive.?
Dunn was referring to a proposed $32,065 budget, sumbitted by the fire department, to construct and furnish living quarters at Fire Station #1 and furnish existing living quarters at Station #2.
Station #1 is the department’s headquarters located at Church and N. Washington streets. Station #2 is the branch station located at Newman and W. Drahner roads.
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.
‘We’re looking around the first of December at implementing 24-hour shifts,? LeRoy told the township board. ‘So, we’ve got a minimum of 30 to 45 days construction work to bring this about.?
At Station #1, the department wants to spend $16,000 on building materials and $2,000 on 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.
Proposed furnishings and costs for Station #1’s bunkroom include two beds ($600), two matresses and box springs ($600), two mattress covers ($150), two nightstands ($200), two wall lockers ($400), two alarm clocks ($40), two lamps ($60) and two pillows ($60).
Those same furnishings are being requesed for Station #2, but at half the quantity and cost.
Proposed furnishings and costs for Station #1’s day room and kitchen include a sofa ($1,000), two recliners ($1,000), television ($1,500), VCR/DVD player ($300), television stand ($200), two end tables ($300), range stove ($700), microwave ($300), three refrigerators ($2,700), dishwasher ($400), small appliances ($300), table and chairs ($600), pots and pans ($200), dishes and silverware ($300), garbage disposal ($100) and miscellaneous supplies ($200).
‘I’m very comfortable with what was proposed,? said Treasurer Joe Ferrari. ‘I looked through it all and I think everything’s fine and in line.?
Ferrari made a motion to authorize the proposed $32,065 in living quarters expenses as presented. It died on the floor for lack of support.
‘I don’t agree with all these. To me, they’re excessive,? said Dunn, noting he ‘had not seen this before.?
Margaret Payne, the fire department’s administrative assistant, assured officials, ‘We’re not irresponsible with our money.?
‘We get the best quality items for the department for the best prices we can,? she said, noting two examples.
The department budgeted $115,000 for a new ambulance and got one for $108,000. A total of $14,000 was budgeted for a thermal imaging camera, which the department got for $9,000.
‘Everybody that makes purchases in our department knows how to bargain,? Payne said. ‘They’re alomost as good as Joe Ferrari.?
Trustee Charles Kniffen, who agreed with Dunn, asked why three refrigerators are needed at one station.
‘It’s very typical in the fire service (when using a) three-platoon system that each platoon has a refrigerator for their own food,? LeRoy replied. ‘Each one purchases their own food.?
Each platoon represents a 24-hour shift. ‘They’re divided into three groups of 24-hour people,? the chief said.
‘What I would like to do is to go through this list,? Dunn said. ‘My preference is (for fire department representatives) to sit down with one or two of us on the township board and go over this in more detail ? maybe trim it down a little.?
LeRoy had no problem with doing that but reminded the board ‘we need to move on this fairly quick? because they’re looking to staff the stations within a 60-day period.
Because funding for the living quarters would come from surplus money from 2005 and previous years ? back when the township and village funded the department separately ? Ferrari said the township would have to contribute 80.74 percent (or $25,889) and the village 19.26 percent (or $6,176).
‘We have to make sure that (the village is) willing to give their share,? Ferrari said.
With three village council members present in the audience, Dunn asked if they could place this funding request on their next meeting agenda and pass along any comments.
Dunn also requested the proposed living quarters expenditures be placed on the next township board agenda set for Wednesday, Sept. 27.