Pingree Grove Fire Protection District news
Excerpts from DailyHerald.com: The Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District is set to hold a referendum on April 4, seeking voter approval to borrow $8.5 million for the construction of two new fire stations. The initiative aims to improve emergency response times by strategically positioning the stations in high-population areas, according to Fire Chief Mitch Crocetti. The district currently operates three fire stations, with Station 4 on Plank Road slated for closure and sale if the new stations are built. This move is part of an effort to better serve the growing community, which has seen about 300 new housing units added annually over the past few years. To fund the project, the district will use $2 million from its general fund and implement a 20-year property tax increase. For a home valued at $300,000, this would result in an additional $117 per year. Officials believe that if property values continue to rise, the actual cost could be lower than projected. The new stations are planned for locations near Plato and Rippburger roads, as well as on Highland Avenue east of Coombs Road. These sites were selected based on population density within the district’s boundaries, which have expanded since their original establishment in 1957. Crocetti highlighted the current average response time of 11 to 12 minutes for emergencies in the far southwest part of the district. With the new stations, the goal is to reduce that to six minutes, aligning with standard EMS response times. This would be the first bond issue for the district, which employs 54 firefighters and responded to 1,090 calls last year. Its annual budget is around $3 million, and it previously funded a 2015 station with cash after saving for nine years. That station replaced Station 1, which was sold for $160,000 to Anchor Spa & Pool Inc. If the referendum passes, the new property tax will appear on bills starting in June 2018. Residents are encouraged to consider the long-term benefits of improved emergency services as they prepare to vote. Engineering & Construction Crane XCMG,Xcmg Mobile truck Crane,terrain crane for sale,Xcmg Tough Terrain Crane Xinghan Muzhi Digital Technology (Xuzhou) Co., Ltd. , https://www.steelkingkong.com