Lake Holcombe Town Board; Satellite fire station could lower insurance costs
By Ginna Young
To help potentially lower homeowners’ insurance costs, the Town of Lake Holcombe and Cornell Area Fire Department are looking into establishing a satellite station in Holcombe. The proposal to go forward with that was brought up at the regular town board meeting Feb. 10.
Town chairman Brian Guthman says they are not trying to undermine the fire department in Cornell, but that a satellite fire department might save taxpayers between $60 and $100 on insurance. Currently, because there is not a department stationed in Holcombe, insurance companies are reluctant to lower their rates in the “under serviced” area.
Cornell Fire Chief Matt Boulding says they would move one truck to the satellite station and would need to purchase another, along with constructing a building to house the trucks for now and in the future. With some members of the department living in Holcombe and more recruits incoming, the reduced response time would be immense.
“The fire department is 100 percent behind this, this should have happened years ago,” said Boulding. “Staffing the truck won’t be an issue.”
Boulding said in the research he’s already done, it’s clear that reductions in homeowner insurance would happen as soon as the station was manned, once individuals contact their company to inform them they now have increased fire coverage.
The closer service would benefit Holcombe, Birch Creek and Ruby, right off the bat. Guthman said it would be ideal to have the station on State Hwy. 27.
However, the first step is to approach the fire board, as well as the other township boards.
“I think it’s going to be a win-win for everybody,” said Guthman.
Boulding said it would also allow the department to sign an automatic mutual aid benefit with Sheldon, for any working fire. Through the aid, Sheldon would dispatch a tender and an engine.
Holcombe resident Andrew Burgraff mentioned that he is concerned about where the money is coming from to fund the project, as a pumper tender would be $600,000 brand new and upward of $150,000 on the used market. In addition, funds will be needed to construct the building and purchase the land.
“To say that you want to invest all of that money right now, is that wise?” asked Burgraff. “Is that financially wise?”
Burgraff said he understands potential savings on individual insurance, but wonders where the money to pay for the station will come from on the taxpayers’ end. Guthman said the town would likely borrow money and spread the costs on the levy over assessed valuation – raising taxes by an estimated few dollars.
While Burgraff understands the savings and benefits to having a satellite station, he said he thinks the town should have had all the numbers together first.
Doug Olson, town supervisor, said his only question is if the final decision rests with the town board or the electors. Guthman said it would probably be up to the electors, but that’s what more research on the project would uncover, as well as precise figures of costs and savings.
Guthman said he doesn’t know if is feasible, but that’s why the matter was brought forward. The board agreed to move ahead at delving more into the possible project.
“We’re not voting to approve this, we’re voting to move ahead to figure it all out,” said Guthman.
