Williamstown: New fire station planned

Isn't there more room where the town garage used to be? Why do they need 3 acres?

Williamstown needs a new fire station like Alaska needs ice! Although they serve an important role (as do all town departments) the fact that cannot be ignored (read the annual town report) they answer LESS than 200 calls for service a year. This is in blatant contrast to what the ambulance and police answer in a year (Village 1,500 calls a year: Police = more activated security alarms in one year than the fire departments total calls for service a year!!)

Although a new fire station would be nice (as would new schools, police department, roads, and general services) the reality and the question is this, do they really need one? When properly examined (what the fire department in Williamstown actually does) the answer is clearly no.

Finally, before the fire department supporters attempt to cast me as anti-fire, the certainty is this, I support all public safety agencies 100%. The fire department provides a needed service and executes their duties with great professionalism. I am simply stating the building of a new facility is not necessary.

Two Sides wrote:

Williamstown needs a new fire station like Alaska needs ice! Although they serve an important role (as do all town departments) the fact that cannot be ignored (read the annual town report) they answer LESS than 200 calls for service a year. This is in blatant contrast to what the ambulance and police answer in a year (Village 1,500 calls a year: Police = more activated security alarms in one year than the fire departments total calls for service a year!!)
Although a new fire station would be nice (as would new schools, police department, roads, and general services) the reality and the question is this, do they really need one? When properly examined (what the fire department in Williamstown actually does) the answer is clearly no.
Finally, before the fire department supporters attempt to cast me as anti-fire, the certainty is this, I support all public safety agencies 100%. The fire department provides a needed service and executes their duties with great professionalism. I am simply stating the building of a new facility is not necessary.

The fire department in Williamstown lives in a parallel universe, where endless rivers of cash flow across the land. How did they pay cash for a half million dollar hook and ladder truck? Why are they one of only two departments county-wide that have paid call in a "volunteer" service?
And how on earth do they justify building a new FD in these times? The High School is a much more pressing need.
I suspect their funding/budget is not one that would survive the bright light of public scrutiny. A lot of money is hidden in the town's water/sewer taxes that goes to the FD, yet could be a lot more useful in other areas.
Just my opinion.

Not necessary wrote:

<quoted text>
The fire department in Williamstown lives in a parallel universe, where endless rivers of cash flow across the land. How did they pay cash for a half million dollar hook and ladder truck? Why are they one of only two departments county-wide that have paid call in a "volunteer" service?
And how on earth do they justify building a new FD in these times? The High School is a much more pressing need.
I suspect their funding/budget is not one that would survive the bright light of public scrutiny. A lot of money is hidden in the town's water/sewer taxes that goes to the FD, yet could be a lot more useful in other areas.
Just my opinion.

The problem isn't the district themselves, it's the tax payers who refuse to attend the meetings. There is a sense among people that district meetings are "secret." That's B.S., they are not, they gather just as the Board of Selectman do. They even inform the residents in the annual town report when the meetings are and they post their meeting schedule in public places. Additionally, the district receives no monies from the water/sewer department which is governed by the town manager.

Again, the problem is the lack of interest this department receives from the community. What makes it frustrating is when you see many full-time town departments who provide services to the residents on a daily basis struggling to simply keep their heads above water. Additionally, town employees are presently working without any type of pay raises (yet the Wmst. fireman recently got a considerable one) and school buildings are literally collapsing. In light of this difficult finical strain the town is experiencing, the fire district decides it needs a new building despite the FD's ridiculously low calls for service. Based on submitted FD statistics (provided by the fire district in the annual town report) the WFD averages a "call for service" once every 2.4 days with the majority being "false" fire alarms (quick history lesson, the WFD opposed a by-law that would require fire alarms to be permitted and consequences for repeated false responses.)

Simply put, if the residents disagree with this foolish project they can (and hopefully will) stop it before the first shovel hits the ground. This of course will not re-direct district money to the town. The Wmst. Fire District was created by an act of legislation in the early 1900's. However, if the residents wanted to dip into their unnecessarily plump pockets, all that would need to be done (by the same residents of Wmst.) is petition the legislation with the aim to dissolve the district and place it under the umbrella of the town. Then and only then will you truly see the monies properly distributed as their budget will finally see the "bright light of

Their filthy washing of the public ( and private) vehicles runs right into the Green River, via a pipe from the parking lot. The detergent foam makes it all the way to the Hoosic.

Put them next to the town water wells.

Thank you Two Sides!
We need more knowledgable posters like you, with actual inside info and a proposal for a remedy.
Tell us more?!

Light of Day wrote:

Thank you Two Sides!
We need more knowledgable posters like you, with actual inside info and a proposal for a remedy.
Tell us more?!

Thank you "Light Of Day" and let me first state I am not against the Williamstown Fire Department as they certainly provide a well needed service to the community.

What I am against is unnecessary spending of the taxpayers hard earned money. The present fire department quarters located on Water Street is without a doubt small and beginning to age, however, the real question that needs to be asked by responsible people is "do we NEED a new fire station or can we still utilize this building?" The answer is "yes, we still can use this building."

The Williamstown Fire Station is not experiencing the same issues that plagued the Williamstown Department of Public Works when they relocated. The Fire Station is not experiencing the same problems that were present at the former elementary school. And furthermore, compared to other town departments (police in particular) their building is by far in superior condition. I would suggest a new Town Hall is more of a priority versus a new fire station.

When examining this proposal, I believe people should consider the actual service the department provides, on average 150 calls for service a year (prominently false alarms: This fact is highlighted by an interview in the recent Williams Record by a college student who is a member of the department who stated "Most frequently we get into the truck and we go really fast and it turns out nothing is wrong."

A new fire station will not increase response time. A new fire station will not put out a fire any faster. A new fire station will not make a better firefighter. The fire department has a 1999 ladder truck ($500,000) a 2002 pumper ($300,000) and a 2008 pumper ($400,000) a 1990 4X4 pumper (unk. cost) and a 4X4 vehicle for the Chief. This is not a case of them needing actual firefighting equipment to keep the residents safe. This is an instance of simply "wanting" a new building without just cause. I support their equipment purchases, I cannot support this gluttonous adventure.

Rationalism comes in many forms, whether from the mouths of FFs, EMS professionals, or concerned Citizens. So do Agendas. And equipment envy.

The bottom line: Williamstown has a professionally trained fire department with decent equipment. No matter how many or how few calls they run in the Fire Department, nothing will change the need for the trucks, a good place to house them -- and the fact that this new station with probably serve the community for 50 or 100 years. Dollar for dollar, their service is great. People with Agendas should sit on their hands for a change, and stop typing. It makes it much easier to put IVs in their patients. Besides, everyone knows it's really the Cops in town that do all the work anyways. Speaking of parallel universes, Great Barrington didn't need a new station either. Putting out house fires isn't really such an important task. No one should have room for teaching. It's much more important to add to your revenue stream by charging folks for needless transports and outrageous response times. Whose universe is more rational? Williamstown should get what it deserves: a new and better station. Anything else would be irrational.