Sweden Fire Station Building Committee Meeting Minutes

March 4, 2008

Present:

Members: Wolfgang Duve, Julie McQueen, John P. Smith, Wayne Miller, Patrick Wood

Absent:

Bill Morrisseau

Public & Guests:  None

 Assignments from the March 4, 2008 Meeting:

·        Wolfgang will get copies 30 of the drawings for the first 3 building options made for the March 8, 2008 Information Meeting

·        Julie will put together a “fact sheet” for the March 8, 2008 Information Meeting.

 Assignments from the February 12, 2008 Meeting:

·       Wolfgang will generate copies of all 3 building options (1 at 50 X 70, 1 at 62 X 70, and 1 at 64 X 80 with the meeting room moved toward the front door) on the computer for presentation at the Information Meeting to be held on March 8, 2008 .

*    Wolfgang is still working on the drawings but expects to have them complete before the Information Meeting expected to be held this Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 9:00 am.

·       Wayne will forward the information re: Shawn Bergeron to Julie who will forward the same package to Bergeron Technical Services (BTS) that was sent to Roger Legoff, Jr. in November; to get an estimate on what it would cost to have BTS do the design work.

*    Julie was finally able to connect with Shawn Bergeron on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008 and faxed essentially the same package to Mr. Bergeron that was faxed to Roger Legoff, Jr. on Nov. 13, 2008.Three members of the Committee (Wolfgang, Julie & Wayne) will meet with Mr. Bergeron at his office on Thursday, March 6 at 2:00 pm to discuss the cost of putting together a design.

Assignments from the January 8, 2008 Meeting:

·       Wolfgang will contact the surveyor used in 2005 (Points North from Bethel , ME ) and get an estimate of costs necessary to adjust the property line. These costs would include, at a minimum, the survey costs, the cost of an attorney if required, and costs to register the deed.  A change in the placement of this property line would not change the size of the property but would allow the proposed station to be built closer to Bridgton Road .

*    Wolfgang contacted the surveyor and got a price of $350 to do the survey again but we do not know if this includes the updated drawing. It does not include the new or amended deed (cost unknown) or the cost to register the new deed (about $18). It is estimated the whole thing will cost less than $1,000.

Assignments from the October 23, 2007 Meeting:

·       Julie requested that all members who have recommendations regarding possible contractors, etc. please verify current names, addresses and additional contact information and forward them to her. She will compile a list so the Town is prepared to move forward when it comes time to pursue a cost estimate.

*    This request was made again at the February 26, 2008 meeting

 Assignments from the July 10, 2007 meeting:

·       Ted Harris is to make an inquiry with Maine DOT regarding the acquisition/storage of excess fill required for site work.

*     We have not received an update on this item as of the March 4, 2008 meeting.

Meeting Notes:

·       Wolfgang called the meeting to order at 9:00 am .

·       Wolfgang suggested that it might be in the best interest of the Town to trade the portion of Scott Valley ’s property (that includes his well) all the way to the road for a piece at the back of the proposed station. He has not discussed this option with Mr. Valley at this time. This would allow the Town to own a rectangular piece of property adjacent to the Town Office, all the way to the road. The proposed station could then be built closer to the road which would reduce the cost of paving and the cost of building on so much fill towards the back of the property. Of course, the cost of drilling a new well for the Valley property would be included in the cost of the station, but a well would likely have to be drilled anyway. The capacity of the well currently on the Valley property would have to be verified to be sure that it would be adequate for the station and the Town Office since the Town Office currently shares the Church’s well next door.

·       The Committee will now offer the fourth option of a basic storage garage for equipment; with a foundation and heat. It should be built in such a way that it could be finished on the inside at a later date; either by the Fire Dept. or by taxpayers. There should be a plan for this (either that the Town expects to pay over a period of years to finish it on the inside or that the Fire Dept. intends to complete the interior) before this option is finalized.

·       In the event that things change in the future, (for example it has been suggested by neighboring communities that the possibility of a “regionalized” Fire Dept. could be formed), it would still benefit the Town to have storage capabilities for equipment.

·       John Smith suggests that another option be considered; which is the possibility of financially supporting neighboring Fire Departments in lieu of having a Fire Dept. in Sweden .

·       There is some concern about this option, such as what the impact might be on Homeowner’s Insurance rates without a station in the Town of Sweden .

·       There are also other concerns, such as the impact of such a decision on seemingly unrelated issues such as the Town’s bond rating; etc..

·       John will investigate the true impacts of this option and report back to the Committee ASAP for discussion.

·       The entire Town of Sweden is currently classified by the Insurance Services Office as a Class 9 (as are many small towns in rural Maine ); Class 10 being the highest rating, which means a higher cost for insurance coverage.

·       The Committee is open to discussing all options as we see this as our responsibility to the Town.

·       The discussion turned to preparing for the Information Meeting to be held on Saturday March 8, 2008 at 9:00 am at the Town Meeting House.

·       Wolfgang will get copies made of the drawings for the 3 current options for presentation at the Information Meeting.

·       Julie will put together a “fact sheet” to give people an idea as to what the Committee has been doing for the past year to include the following:

   ·        A Brief History

·        Meetings

·        Property

·        The Building

·        Financing

·        Cost

·       The Next Step

 ·       Wolfgang, Julie & Wayne will meet with Shawn Bergeron on Thursday, March 6, 2008 to discuss the cost of designing different options for a proposed station and the cost of doing so; as well as the cost of building different options if possible.

·       The Committee will attend the Information Meeting on Saturday March 8, 2008 in order to make a brief presentation on what the Committee has been doing over the past year and where it is headed.

·       The next meeting will be on Tuesday March 11, 2008 from 9:00 – 10:30 AM at the Town Office in order to discuss feedback from the Information Meeting.