A proposed renovation to the fire station here would put an end to a long tradition of public rentals of the station hall.
However, Wellington North officials stress it is very early in the process and contrary to rumours in the community, nothing has yet been approved by the township.
“No decision has been made yet … it still has to come back to council,” Mayor Ray Tout told the Advertiser on Monday.
Last week, the Mount Forest Fire Fighters Association (MFFFA), which has rented out the hall on Main Street North for decades, presented its preliminary plan for station renovations to Wellington North council.
The plan, further explained by the association in a public letter dated Oct. 3, calls for transforming the current hall into larger offices and education/training rooms, as well as a separate room for storage of firefighters’ bunker gear.
“Our turnout gear is hung up on the apparatus floor and when the trucks start up the diesel particles break down the thermal barrier in the turnout gear that we wear fighting fires,” states the public letter, which was distributed by fire prevention officer Jason Benn on behalf of the MFFFA.
“The diesel exhaust is mainly composed of unburned fuel and oils, which can cause cancer.”
Fire chief Dave Guilbault said it is “commendable” local firefighters are trying to address a safety issue.
“They are trying to take a bit of a proactive approach here,” Guilbault said.
The firefighters’ association expressed regret in its letter that the plan would result in the closure of the hall to public rentals.
“This was not an easy decision … as we too will lose the benefits for holding family events at the hall,” the MFFFA letter states. “With that said, this change is greatly needed for the expansion of the fire service.”
Tout explained there are items at the fire station, now 30 years old, are “outdated.”
“It’s bringing the hall up to date,” the mayor said of the proposed changes.
He explained the association is trying to “work within their means” by using in-kind labour from members to help keep project costs as low as possible.
“I don’t think they’re asking for a Taj Mahal,” said Tout.
Guilbault agreed and said firefighters “really have no choice” but to make some improvements at the station.
“It’s just an old building,” Guilbault said.
All sides seem to agree an expansion of the current building would not be feasible.
The MFFFA public letter also states the association wants to clarify rumours “going around town” about the proposal – including that the project is being driven by the mayor, which is not the case – but at least one part of the document appears to create further confusion.
The letter states the decision to make changes at the station was “made by the firefighters, not council,” which could be seen as misleading because any proposed changes at the hall must first be approved by council, as the building is owned by the township of Wellington North.
“It’s most definitely a decision of council,” said Guilbault, noting it is “very early” in the process.
“It is definitely not a fait accompli,” he added.
Tout noted the Sept. 29 council meeting was the first time council has met with the association about the proposed changes.
“Other than their proposal to council, there’s been no discussion,” he said.
Training officer Don Irvine presented the proposal to council on Sept. 29, outlining the safety issues with bunker gear storage. He also told council that while the association has immediate access to about $7,000 and they “could make it go a long way,” other costs such as new furniture would have to be included in the township’s budget.
Guilbault said council has requested a more detailed plan, including cost requirements.
At the council meeting Tout expressed concern about informing the public of the changes, if approved, and he suggested giving regular renters of the hall several months notice.
Tout told the Advertiser no definitive timeline has been established, but the hall would likely be rented out as usual until the end of the year, with any approved changes going forward in 2015.
However, he stressed, “there’s been no meeting, there’s been no discussion” on the proposal – and he hinted with an election at the end of the month, it could be some time before that transpires.
“The timing is not available now,” he said. “The firefighters have valid points, but it needs to be discussed further.”
– With files from Meagan Leonard
