Clarification

Based on some of the calls that I've received there are some misconceptions regarding the fire department and the proposed emergency services center.

- the misconception
* is my response

- The station is going to be 20,000 and they contacted a company that builds these things and that’s too big.
• The stations is NOT going to be 20,000 square feet. We’ve stated that we were using the building shown on the plan to be able to accommodate the building’s orientation depending on site specifics. We are committed to building the smallest possible building that will serve our needs.

- The building is going to be $3.5 - $4 million dollars.
• The building is not going to be $3.5 - $4 million dollars. Other stations serving similar communities have built stations for between $2 - $3M, and that’s a more likely number. Until we settle on a location, we can’t determine specific cost.

- Lancaster Township is raising taxes again
• Lancaster Township hasn’t had a tax increase since 2003 when the tax was raised to .7 mills, and actually the millage declined to .6 in 2005, where its stayed since. The supervisors have not discussed, nor are there any plans to raise taxes. The mechanisms of funding for building a station will occur after determining how much the station will cost and will include fire company funds, may include the sale of current fire company land, grants, and donations. Municipal contribution will be part of the process, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything with regard to millage.

- This is “protected parkland” and the township is violating the state rules by construction a fire station on the school district land.
• The park was developed with the cooperation of the state through a recreation grant program. We’re aware of the state obligations. The state is aware that we’re looking at using the property in this capacity. The township is not in violation of anything. If its determined that the SDoL land will need to be used, then there are provisions in place to make sure that all the state requirements are met.

- The West Street location isn’t really under consideration and the Township has not intentions of using that property. The response time from there is too slow.
• The documentation on the website explains in details the ingress and egress parameters of each site. The West St. site is being considered.

- The current buildings are in fine shape and can continue being used. The Maple Ave. site can be expanded by buying the surrounding houses and tearing them down. We have two ladder trucks and if we just reduced the number of ladder trucks then we’d be fine. Etc etc
• We’ve addressed these issues numerous times. We do NOT have two ladder trucks in Lancaster Township. The operations were explained in last fall's meeting and explained over and over again to the leadership of the “Friends of the Park.”. Furthermore, those making these accusations have been repeatedly invited to come to the fire station to see the facilities and operations so that they can have an informed opinion. To date, not one person has come to the station to see what facilities exist or what equipment the fire companies have.

- There are other properties available;, the township turned down land that was made available;, there’s land about to become available
• First, the township has not turned down any land offered for a fire station. To the contrary, we’ve actively sought land that we thought might be available. In each instance where people have made an assertion that land was available or where land might become available, I’ve asked them to provide examples or specific information. In each case there was none. We put out our independent and detailed analysis showing a review of every parcel within the township and have even considered properties outside of the township. Those results were presented to the public on March 8. That documentation has been available since March 9th on our webite. The two properties (three options) that we’re presenting on March 31st are the only available options.


I encourage people to read the documentation on the website, to contact this office directly for the most up to date and accurrate information.