Upon reading last month’s story about the proposed fire station (OBIFD presses town to reexamine need for central station,” Page 1), I became curious as to why the town Fire and Rescue Planning Committee had shown “stiff opposition” to an alternative proposal from the Orr’s and Bailey Islands Fire Department. OBIFD is requesting due diligence and a cost-benefit analysis of a new, $5.1 million central fire station versus upgrades to the current three-station strategy.
I attended the Select Board meeting on Dec. 5 and read the 2008 study by Emergency Services Consulting, the 2011 Fire and Rescue Committee report, the June 2014 report by the Emergency Medical Services Work Group, the 2016 Fire and Rescue Planning Committee progress report, and the recent OBIFD alternative vision that has not been presented to the public and got the cold shoulder from town leaders.
Here is a summary of things learned and questions raised:
The only professional study is 16 years old. It’s time for an update by an independent and impartial consultancy with no vested interest in its outcome. The Select Board stated that the consultant who will do any further studies has worked on projects with the firm that designed the new station. Is this a conflict of interest?
We are now only three months out from Town Meeting with no presentation. Is this enough time for public discussion and evaluation?
Will the link between additional buildings/capital expenditures and improved services be explained?
Does the $5.1 million price tag include the cost of building maintenance?
Why has the town not been presented with two options — a new fourth station versus upgrading the existing three?
Is the $5,800 that was mentioned at the Select Board meeting on Dec. 5 adequate to provide the additional research and study that is needed?
We taxpayers should ask for a lot more information before approving $5.1 million.
Ellen Glew, Great Island
