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Path finally cleared
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - July 30, 2008)
Path finally cleared for new fire station
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Burton Village Council removed all roadblocks Monday for the Burton Fire Department to proceed with its plans for a new fire station.
Council voted 5-1 to give the fire department unconditional use of village water and sewer services now and into the future at the proposed fire station site at 14128 Claridon-Troy Road. Councilman Gerald Rouge voted against the motion.
"They should not have to suffer for what we want to do down the road," Councilwoman Sandra Humbert said.
Previous approval of services had been tied to the fire department agreeing to sign documents stating that it approves of annexation for its property in the future. The village and Burton Township have been involved in talks since spring over whether land to the north of the village, where the new fire station is to be situated, would be annexed or be part of a joint economic development district.
Mrs. Humbert and Councilwoman Linda Swaney called for removing any stipulations regarding approval of the services.
"I make a motion to give them water and sewer services without any stipulations whatsoever," Mrs. Humbert said.
Fire Chief Michael Sestak said he was pleased with council's decision. "I am happy with what they decided," he said. "It's what we were asking for all along."
Mr. Sestak said he hopes the delay did not hurt the project "too much," although estimated construction costs have increased from $3.7 million to about $4 million because of inflation. The department first made its request for services to the village in February.
Before giving approval, council debated with village Solicitor Todd Hicks over whether the letter stating the fire department's approval on annexation was necessary.
Councilwoman Sharon Gingerich, who attended the village's board of public affairs July meeting, when the issue was discussed, said she did not remember that board asking that a letter be prepared or signed by the fire department. She said the board simply asked that approval be given "at the pleasure of council" and that that term be explained verbally.
Mrs. Swaney agreed, saying she and others had listened to the tape and did not hear the board direct that any type of letter be obtained for approval.
Mr. Hicks said two members of the board, however, made it clear that the phrase "at the pleasure of council" be explained in writing. He said he believed it was necessary to protect the village and fire department, so future officials would have a clear understanding of what the phrase meant.
He said village officials could get a transcript of the meeting's proceedings to clear up the confusion.
With the village's approval, the fire department will head to the Burton Township board of zoning appeals, said Rob Roy, a consultant for the department. The land for the new station is zoned for residential use, he said. The township's zoning code does provide for a conditional-use permit in residential areas for fire and police buildings, he said.
Although he was disappointed that the issue took so long before the village, Mr. Roy said he was happy the fire department did not have to abandon its project. "I am encouraged by what happened," he said.
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