The board for the Owen-Withee-Curtiss Fire & EMS District met on Wednesday, January 22 to get their first look at a draft of the Feasibility Study being done for them by CBS Squared. It was emphasized that it is only a draft and there is still work to be done.

One of the items to be updated is on available grants. The draft included five possible floor plans for a new building. The engineers would like it narrowed down to one or two. The floor plans are based on needed square footage. The site where the building would potentially go would also be helpful and should be decided on before grants are applied for.

The draft covers the purpose and scope of the project as well as containing background information. It was noted that 14,700 vehicles go by on Highway 29 every day with an estimated 1,300-1,500 of them pulling off the highway and coming into town. There are also 34 trains per day that travel through town and they carry a lot of hazardous material.

ISO ratings were also discussed as were the District’s finances. The building in Owen could be sold if a new building is built. There was a belief that the city of Owen put no stipulations on the building staying a fire department when they donated it to the fire department. The Fire District has also put money into the building.

It was stated that the current building has served its purpose, that new equipment could be even bigger than what they already have. The insulation is an issue due to the age of the building. The apparatus bays are undersized and there is no room to do maintenance on the trucks. Security could be improved. Interior lighting isn’t adequate. The site is too close to the tracks. In looking at future equipment needs, the current building is too small. The Curtiss Station has no deficiencies and serves its purpose. The pond is an advantage. It was suggested that they might think about an underflow tank, if needed, and they decide to build.

The plans proposed are for a 21,000 square foot building with additional space in a mezzanine. It would have sprinklers, which could also be used for training firefighters. The oversize electrical room could also be used for training. It would have a kitchen, offices, record retainage space, an area that could be used for storage or day beds, and a meeting room. Space is included for training. CBS Squared said they tried to keep the plans efficient. One of the plans includes a radio room. One of them puts the offices, etc. in the center of the building and separates the apparatus bays. This would help with heating costs. The building is a pre-engineered steel building, but would have options for interior finishes.

There is still some data needed, including information on the grant that was received to build the Curtiss Station. A ballpark estimate for a new building was $3.2 million. If the Fire District got an 80/20 grant match, that would mean a cost of $640,000 to be split among the eight members. The final cost will depend on the plan, the finishes chosen, and building costs at the time a new building is constructed.

Dan Goessl said the plan is nice, the cost is the issue. Jason Thornton felt they need to look at what they are currently paying. He said he was not in favor of buying the Curtiss Station. 

CBS Squared can oversee any construction, prepare state approved plan, handle bids, and do a final check on the building before the warranty expires. It was noted that nobody will get everything they want, but once an agreement is reached, everyone has to put out the same message, whether they agree with it or not. There is a political piece to doing this as well as the financial one. CBS Squared felt there were enough valid reasons to continue moving forward with the process. They also said having a plan in place, even if the decision is not to build immediately would be an advantage as no one knows what grant funds might be available in the future.

Goessl asked if there was anything that could be cut. Fire Chief Travis Serocki said they might be able to eliminate some of the overhead doors. Thornton liked the idea of a wash bay and keeping the mess all in one space. Grace Dale said that utilities plus rent paid to Curtiss are over $30,000 per year, which would help with a payment on a new building. Thornton said the current building in Owen is landlocked. Goessl wondered if the city of Owen might be willing to donate land on the east end of the city as part of the grant match. Art Petke said that years ago it was suggested to move to that location next to the highway. He said that nothing can be done until the fire department comes up with a floor plan. He wants everyone to think about what will be needed 5-10 years down the road so they don’t have to do this later. He talked about winterproofing the building. He also liked the idea of not having to heat the entire building, but felt the floor plan should be left up to the fire department.

It was decided that the fire department should settle on the floor plan that they feel will work best and then the board can approve it. There will be another meeting with CBS Squared once the study is updated.