by Nathan Boddy
Hamilton Fire Chief Brad Mohn and Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf were at the future site of the Hamilton Fire Station on the bright morning of April 8th in order to field questions from the public about the upcoming project. Only two days prior, at their regularly scheduled City Council meeting, the Hamilton City Council voted to proceed with the construction of the fire hall.
More than two years in the planning (and over one hundred in the making), the City of Hamilton is now taking steps to construct a modern fire station that will serve a growing community, and retire the station that has served the community since 1907. A new station will not only accommodate modern, full sized fire-fighting equipment, but also allow responders to safely move and maneuver in a location that provides far greater space than the current downtown location of the fire station.
The City will need to secure a loan for a portion of the construction costs, and now awaits the decision by the Montana Board of Investments on the matter later this month. Pending that decision, as well as the city’s own development review processes, construction on the new fire station could begin as early as this August and proceed for approximately 14 months.
The Mayor and Fire Chief were on hand to answer questions from residents about how the station would function. Skeels Avenue, for example, will be extended to the north and connect with Fairgrounds Road allowing first responders quick access in that direction. The Foxfield intersection with Highway 93 is not planned to have a light, but may have an indicator similar to the pedestrian crossing adjacent to Safeway, for fire trucks to exit safely. While noise might be a concern of some residents, Mayor Farrenkopf points out that lights and sirens would not be used until trucks are approaching either Fairgrounds Road or Highway 93. As far as the old siren atop the current fire station, Farrenkopf says that it is not needed.
“First responders all carry two types of pagers,” he says, adding that a siren call is not necessary. “The siren is more nostalgic than anything, and it will not be coming to this new location.”
The City of Hamilton has amassed funds of approximately $2 million for the project from CARES Act funds and CDBG funds, but will need to accept a loan for the remaining $3.1 million.
“We are also hoping for some substantial donors,” says Mayor Farrenkopf, suggesting that there could still be someone out there willing or interested in donating a substantial amount, but says that, “We are preparing ourselves to do this as a fiscally responsible project and make this a reality for the city volunteer fire department. Those guys deserve a new building.”
A variety of tax-deductible donation levels have been suggested by the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department, a group whose call level has increased 89% since 2010. For example, a $500 donation will not only be deeply appreciated, but recognized with a decorative plaque in the new fire station.