Shelley-Firth Fire District Seeks $1.7 Million Bond
The Shelley-Firth Fire District is asking voters to approve a $1.7 million bond this May because the volunteer-based departments said there’s just not enough space.
If the bond is approved, the Shelley fire station would be completely rebuilt, and Firth would see about $300,000 in upgrades.
So what’s the cost to taxpayers? Shelley Fire Chief Mike Carter said depending on home value, the move won’t set taxpayers back more than a soda pop or two a month.
A tour of the Shelley fire station meant winding through some cramped quarters.
“We’re just out of room,” said Carter. “There’s no room to park anything. There’s nowhere to train.”
The bottom line is that the status quo just isn’t cutting it.
Volunteers have to lug gear home because there’s nowhere to store it. Overnights are spent on a cot in the office. And, the Quick Response Unit truck parked outside has to be started on a timer every 15 minutes in the winter.
“To keep warm, to keep IV bags and stuff warm and medication in them,” said Carter.
Carter hopes that will all change in May when voters decide on the bond that would give the station a makeover.
“Locker area, conference training area, which we would make big enough for a community room,” said Carter.
Trucks in the garage are parked two by two. The department has another one being stored at a local spud cellar.
The lack of indoor space affects the fire rating. Improvements there could mean better insurance rates for local residents.
“If not lower the rating, it’ll help maintain where it is now,” said Carter.
For owners of a $100,000 home, the bond would raise taxes about $7 dollars a year, or 58 cents a month.
“It should benefit the whole community by giving us a good place to respond to fires out of,” said Carter.
Carter said if the bond passes, the district will start planning the next day and hopefully break ground within a month or two.
The special bond election is May 15. It applies to voters from the North Bingham County line south to Firth.
