Rumford Fire Department’s newest truck is parked in front of the Central Fire Station on Congress Street. Fire Chief Chris Reed said the station doors on the 1924 building are 110 inches wide and the largest fire engine measures 105 inches mirror to mirror, allowing little clearance. Bruce Farrin/Rumford Falls Times
RUMFORD — Town officials are hopeful their case for replacing their 97-year-old fire station will resonate with townspeople.
During a 30-minute public hearing Thursday, Town Manager Stacy Carter told the 20 residents that officials have realized the need for a new fire station since the 1990s, but have been unsuccessful three times to get funding.
Twice, townspeople turned down requests, and on the third try in 2009, the town was awarded a $3 million grant, but that funding never came through.
Carter said he was told the expected cost for the type of fire station the town is looking to build is $4.5 million.
At a special town meeting Feb. 24, voters approved an extension to the tax increment financing agreement for the Rumford Power Plant on Industrial Park Road. He said the extension also provided the town with an additional $1.35 million, “which we hope to put toward a public safety building. That money will be put into a fund until we are able to move forward with that program.”
Carter said the town will also utilize up to $500,000 from town surplus toward the project, with the remainder to go out to bond through the state.
Fire Chief Chris Reed said when the Central Station at 151 Congress St. was built in 1924, fire apparatus was much lighter. Today’s heavier equipment is damaging the floor.
The floor of the Central Fire Station in Rumford has cracks, due in part because today’s equipment is heavier than that of 1924 when the station was built, Fire Chief Chris Reed said. The extra weight is causing more damage to the building, he said. Submitted photo
The station houses, on a regular basis, five fire apparatus and two trailers. Add in other equipment there, the combined weight is 141,805 pounds. Beyond that, there is a building that houses Ladder 3, which weighs in at 69,500 pounds, according to an information sheet for voters.
Despite the flooring system being reinforced in 1991, stress on the structural integrity of the building has resulted in a number of cracks on the floor and elsewhere.
“That’s a lot of equipment in a small box,” Reed said.
Carter and Reed both noted that building a fire station will be a two- to three-year process. During that time, Reed said the the cracks will continue to accelerate.
Another issue with the three-bay facility is narrow doors.
Engine 7 measures 105 inches from mirror to mirror and the bay doors are 110 inches wide. That leaves 2.5 inches of clearance on each side, providing the truck is dead center.
Reed said the department had 652 calls last year, with many trips in and out of the station.
“They have to be careful not to damage the building or the apparatus,” he said
Reed said other issues with the fire station include:
• The only fire escape, which is the second means of egress from the second floor, is secured with four bolts.
• The 1989 generator has over 481 hours of use.
Selectman Frank DiConzo mentioned that the extra time needed to leave the station can be critical in an emergency situation.
The second-floor fire escape on Rumford’s Central Fire Station is secured by four bolts, Fire Chief Chris Reed told voters at a public hearing Thursday, citing one of the building deficiencies and the need for a new station. Bruce Farrin/Rumford Falls Times
Reed indicated a new station would need five bays for apparatus, storage for all other equipment, office space and sleeping quarters, among other items.
Asked about sites the town has explored for a station, board Chairman Chris Brennick said they’ve explored around the Falmouth Street area, in part due to the number of old tenement buildings there.
He also noted Rumford also tried the regional approach for a fire station with neighboring Mexico, which also is looking for a new building. However, Mexico has decided to go on its own.
Carter said a straw poll at the annual Town Meeting June 8 will ask voters whether they support building and funding a new station.
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