LIVERMORE FALLS — Selectmen on Wednesday night discussed structural issues plaguing the fire station with architect George Parker and President Michael Cunningham, both of Lincoln/Haney Engineering Associates Inc. of Brunswick.
“I think the issue with voters is, is it worth it to spend money on that building? That’s what it’s going to come down to,” Parker said.
“We need to explore all options to the fullest to be able to make the most sound decision for the town,” Selectman Mary Young said. She said the cost of minimal fixes to the fire station need to be addressed, and the town also needed to keep an eye on regionalizing fire services with Jay.
“There’s a certain amount of work that must be done in order for the fire station to be usable as well as insurable by the (Maine Municipal Association),” Young said.
Parker noted that Lincoln/Haney’s proposal a few months ago included design work for the higher bay area in the fire station, and also exploring what would occur if the two smaller bays were expanded.
Town Manager Kristal Flagg said the town doesn’t want to explore expanding the building. “I know that there’s been talk, I’ve heard, on the street that if we do spend that money, to do things the right way,” she said.
Parker and Cunningham proposed having the roof fixed over the bays and provided a cost estimate for expanding the building and making it handicap accessible, even if the building wasn’t expanded. Cunningham said that Lincoln/Haney should contact the town’s insurance company to identify exactly what work must be done to make it insurable.
“I don’t see much of an issue with reinforcing the high bay roof,” Cunningham said. “There’s all these issues and it’s hard to get to.”
“It’s way up in the air,” he said. “You need a roof deck, anyway. It’s not all that expensive to replace. The lower roof, perhaps there’s a compromise.”
Selectman Ron Chadwick said the problems started when leaks were discovered in the roof. He said that despite speculation, it hasn’t been proven that the back wall isn’t reinforced.
Cunningham pointed out that unreinforced masonry walls “tend to be very brittle,” and it was critical that the fire station remain functional. He suggested vertical rebar to reinforce the back wall, which would be included in the proposal.
Selectmen continued to discuss what to do about sharing fire services with Jay.
“Our biggest problem with the regionalization are firefighters not being able to get to their equipment rapidly enough,” Chairwoman Louise Chabot said. “It’s here, there, and everywhere.”
“Regionalization has a lot of good benefits to it,” she added. “I’d hate to just see it go out the window.”
Livermore Falls fire chief resigns
By Barry Matulaitis, Staff Editor
LIVERMORE FALLS — In addition to the problems associated with rebuilding or renovating the town’s fire station, town officials are also dealing with the impending resignation of Fire Chief Tim “TD” Hardy.
Hardy’s resignation takes effect Jan. 15, Town Manager Kristal Flagg said this week. Selectmen are expected to address it at their meeting Tuesday, Jan. 5.
“I know he’s a very busy person,” Flagg said of Hardy. “He’s a firefighter in Farmington. He has a business and a family.”
“The Fire Department needs a lot of attention,” she said. “It’s a lot to deal with.”
Hardy was appointed chief on Jan. 7, 2013. When contacted about his resignation, he said he was resigning for “personal reasons.”
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