|
| |
This information is provided to assist you in making an informed decision. Please
exercise your right to vote!
The bond question is printed below as it will appear on the ballot.
BOND QUESTION
Shall the City of Roswell, New Mexico, be authorized to issue its general
obligation bonds, in one series or more, in an amount not exceeding $3,000,000
for the purpose of constructing, purchasing, rehabilitating, remodeling or
land acquisition, or any combination thereof, municipal fire stations (public
buildings), including additions and improvements thereto, said bond to be
payable from general (ad valorem) taxes (except to the extent other moneys are
available therefore) and to bear interest and mature and to be issued upon
such terms and conditions as the City council may determine?
Absentee voting will be available at the City Clerk's office located at 425
North Richardson from April 15 through May 15.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this fire station bond issue is to modernize, upgrade and enhance
fire department facilities. Listed below are areas of concern for adequate fire
protection facilities for the citizens and firefighters.
 | Several stations need asbestos abatement. |
| Most stations have living space contaminated by truck exhaust. |
| Public areas of all stations need to be accessible to persons with
disabilities. |
| Dormitory rooms built for six firefighters now house nine. |
| Stations built as early as 1950's need new plumbing, wiring, and heat.
|
| Some roofs are beyond repair. |
| Station #1 houses training rooms and offices. It's parking is inadequate.
|
| A lack of basic storage space needs to be met. |
| Fire apparatus is larger today than it was in 1957. Some truck rooms are
too small. |
| Poor insulation causes high heating expense. |
IMPROVEMENT PLAN
| Fire Station #1 200 South Richardson (Downtown) Built in 1957 RENOVATE
|
| Fire Station #2 501 East McGaffey (Eastside) Built in 1957 RENOVATE
|
| Fire Station #3 2901 North Garden (North) Built in 1965 REPLACE
|
| Fire Station #4 #2 Challenger (RIAC) Built in 1950's REPLACE
|
| Fire Station #5 701 West Gayle (South) Built in 1971 REPLACE
|
If you would like additional information regarding the
bond issue or other fire department related information, please call the Roswell
Fire Department at 624-6800 during regular working hours. Or, you can e-mail
the Fire Chief:
PROBLEMS
- Fire Station #1
- Built in 1957, and located at 200 South Richardson, had building additions
made in 1971 and again in 1983. Neither time was the existing station
remodeled. This station contains asbestos with an inadequate sleeping area,
storage area, truck room, training room, inadequate heating, ventilation and
air conditioning, need for new plumbing, and limited office space.
Fire Station #2
- Also built in 1957, and located at 501 East McGaffey, this station
contains asbestos. It has inadequate restrooms, sleeping area, and truck
room. This station, like #3 & #5 below, was built to house two
firefighters per shift, for a total of six. Today each shift is staffed with
three firefighters at each station, for a total of nine firefighters working
and living in a station built for six.
Fire Station #3
- Located at 2901 North Garden, this station was built in 1965. The circular
design and construction style does not lend itself to expansion. The
restrooms, truck room and sleeping areas in this station are inadequate. A
study may recommend moving this station due to future growth in north
Roswell.
Fire Station #4
- Located at the RIAC and built in the 1950's as part of the Walker Air
Force Base, this 50-year-old building has severe need for asbestos
abatement. It has exposed water and gas lines, a leaking roof which can no
longer be repaired, ceilings which are to falling, deteriorated soffit and
facia, exhaust ventilation problems deemed hazardous to the occupants,
completely inefficient insulation, inadequate heating and air conditioning
and poor station design.
Fire Station #5
- At 701 West Gayle, this station was built in 1971. The truck room was
built to house one truck and now houses two. The station is not built or
situated for expansion and has inadequate restroom and sleeping facilities
and has many of the same problems of this identified above.
Of the stations noted above, only Station #1 is partially ADA accessible. As
part of our effort to reach the citizens of each district with neighborhood fire
and medical safety programs, these facilities need replacement and serious
renovation to provide quality services for the next 20 years, not only for the
citizens, but for the firefighters expected to work and live in the firehouse.
IMPACT STATEMENT
Failure to replace and renovate the fire stations will curtail the department's
effort to reach the citizens of each district. If we fail to replace and
renovate the buildings, they will be 10 to 15 years older with only cosmetic
improvements made until the next city bond issue becomes available. |
