The Banna Fire Station Saga

**mkreyssig** · Moderator Posts: 206 Join date: 2009-01-27 Age: 31

I couldn't stick around for the Fire Chief portion of the BOS meeting last week, so i got the details in the Seekonk Star Article today. I am a little perplexed at the Chiefs statement that he will need an additional 8 Fire Fighters to staff that station.

I didn't think the issue with fire coverage was that we did not have enough fire fighters. I thought the issue was where they started from. Can't they just be spread out among the two stations?

seek2mend · Re: The Banna Fire Station Saga on Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:10 am seek2mend

CALLING ALL MOBSTERS!!

Just kidding. I thought it important to remind people that in a little more than two weeks (8/31) we will be voting on the Banna station proposal. If you want your opinions known, now is the time to start writing to the local papers. The Star only comes out once a week, so time is of the essence.

Non-supporters should be preparing to compassionately counter letters that will likely pull at the heartstrings. I think this site and even the unmoderated has compiled an inventory of opinions posted by us naysayers. I think it is suffice to say that the Banna station will be a bandaid approach. The real problem with the Fire dept is apparently the lack of efficient management of existing resources, including manpower, call firefighters and the available facilities.

IMO, what tipped the scales in favor of the CPA was the lack of public opposition. Let's not make that mistake again.

**Dave** · Re: The Banna Fire Station Saga on Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:44 am **Dave**

I will put out a blast mail to all members at the two week mark reminding them of the special meeting and encouraging residents to weigh in.

d

seek2mend · Re: The Banna Fire Station Saga on Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:34 am seek2mend

Actually, I believe Tuesday August 31 is a special election on the ballot question for Banna. At least according to today's Sun Chroncle. As far as I know, there is no meeting.

Being the day before school starts, and with polling only at the High School I imagine many people will be unaware of this override vote or not make the effort. Such ignorance and apathy usually favors the petitioners.

**mkreyssig** · Re: The Banna Fire Station Saga on Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:22 pm **mkreyssig**

The TA just responded to my email. He said that the Fire Chief and Gary Sagar will be meeting with the press next week. He also said the Chief will be making a presentation to the BOS at next weeks meeting regarding staffing. So that might be a good meeting to go to so we can get some more info, and hopefully ask a few questions.

newresident · Re: The Banna Fire Station Saga on Wed Aug 12, 2009 3:11 pm newresident

"It really ticks me off that this warrant was voted on at a TM that everyone was confused about so there was little to no public debate"

do you think they did that on purpose? to help it go through?

**mkreyssig** · Re: The Banna Fire Station Saga on Wed Aug 12, 2009 3:23 pm **mkreyssig**

newresident wrote:

"It really ticks me off that this warrant was voted on at a TM that everyone was confused about so there was little to no public debate"

do you think they did that on purpose? to help it go through?

Maybe they did, or maybe it was just a new BOS still getting their feet wet. But it does not make any sense why they would put that on the warrant for a special TM that happened at 6:30 when most of the town though that the Meetings were starting at 7:00 like they normally do. Frankly I think it would have passed either meeting, but I think it would have been vetted a little better with more residents in attendance.

**Dave** · Re: The Banna Fire Station Saga on Wed Aug 12, 2009 3:29 pm **Dave**

Article out on the Sun...

Quote:

Voters to decide funding for Banna fire station on Aug. 31
SEEKONK - Voters will decide whether to approve funding for the renovation of the Banna fire station on Pine Street at a special Aug. 31 election.

Residents at that time will be asked to approve a temporary override of the state's tax-limiting law, Proposition 2 1/2, in order to pay for bonding for the project.

A total of $750,000 was appropriated for the project at May's town meeting.

The ballot question reads: "Shall the town of Seekonk be allowed to exempt from the provisions of Proposition 2 1/2 the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to pay the costs of designing, renovating, and furnishing the Banna fire station?"

Fire Chief Alan Jack has proposed expanding the building's first floor and adding a second floor, which would be used as sleeping quarters for firefighters. There also will be a small office which would be utilized by the police department and a community meeting room.

Jack also wants to lower the floor in the garage and remove the ceiling and the roof in order to create more space for apparatus.

The building was constructed in 1935 and was named for Richard C. Banna, a firefighter killed in the line of duty in 1977.

Joseph S. Siegel covers Seekonk for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at joesiegel@cox.net.

**Dave** · Voting on the Banna Fire Station... on Tue Aug 25, 2009 1:36 pm **Dave**

I've moved this thread into it's own forum for discussion through the vote on August 31st.

d

**wlrice** · Banna Station on Tue Aug 25, 2009 1:40 pm **wlrice**

everything about the Banna station requires an "over-ride" some argue that the override is a "no cost" because of retiring debt obligations. but, money is money. and it will cost every property tax payer money. staff or no staff. read my lips: there is no more money. everything will cost more....this town has robbed itself dry. we are running out of land to exploit for commercial and residential development to raise tax money. the state is bled dry. where else but the hapless taxpayer to raise money. when you are in a hole, first, stop digging.

**tombenoit** · Re: The Banna Fire Station Saga on Tue Aug 25, 2009 2:14 pm **tombenoit**

wlrice wrote:

everything about the Banna station requires an "over-ride" some argue that the override is a "no cost" because of retiring debt obligations. but, money is money. and it will cost every property tax payer money. staff or no staff. read my lips: there is no more money. everything will cost more....this town has robbed itself dry. we are running out of land to exploit for commercial and residential development to raise tax money. the state is bled dry. where else but the hapless taxpayer to raise money. when you are in a hole, first, stop digging.

I agree. Maybe I have missed something - but - what debt retirement are they talking about? The fact is that North School is paid off - but - during the last few years - we have actually received more reimbursement than the payments. I am anxiously waiting for the selectman's report on how they propose to address all capital building issues with 3 million.

seek2mend · Re: The Banna Fire Station Saga on Tue Aug 25, 2009 6:06 pm seek2mend

Unless people are willing to knock on doors, this will pass. Many, many people are unaware of the issues facing our town and will not bother to vote. Those that want it, will be there.

Those of us that pay attention need to be messengers. I don't know what else to say. I think we've said it all.

**tombenoit** · Re: The Banna Fire Station Saga on Tue Aug 25, 2009 7:31 pm **tombenoit**

I would guess that there will be a LOW turnout. It has been a pretty well kept secret. Although, we may be surprised. I do not think that Precinct 1 (North end) has ever voted in favor of a debt exclusion. If it passes - my bet will be that there will be a warrant article for more money at one of the next town meetings.

normanrc · Banna Fire Station on Wed Aug 26, 2009 1:27 pm normanrc

I have read with interest the postings re:
Banna fire station. I noted several misconceptions and contacted
Gary Sagar who with others has spearheaded this proposed project.
Mr. Sagar has asked me to post the following, authored by him.

To all Seekonk voters.
My name is Gary Sagar. I was asked in Jan. 09 by the town administrator
to work with the fire chief on solutions to the North and South end of town for station locations.
If anyone would like to personally speak to me about any issues, please
call me at 508-761-5065.
In reading many of the messages on this site it is apparent that many of
the opinions and statements are derived from misunderstanding of the facts or by taking comments made by the Fire Chief and myself out of
context.
Rather than post a detailed message I invite anyone with questions
on the subject of the Banna station to contact me. Also, there will be
an open house on Sunday August 30th from 6 p.m to 8 p.m at the station. All are asked to attend, tour the facility and ask any and all
questions.
Please make an effort to get the TRUE FACTS in advance of the vote
on Monday, August 31st.
Thank You,
Gary Sagar

**Dave** · Re: The Banna Fire Station Saga on Wed Aug 26, 2009 1:44 pm **Dave**

While I think that having the Open House is a great idea and I will consider sending out an e-letter to our members about it, I fail to undertstand why the TRUE FACTS as you stated cannot be posted here for all to digest. The CPA had a great amount of information to discuss here...the same should be the case for this.

Knowlege is power and while everyone has a right to an opinion, you can only form one from the information provided.

my 2,

d

**tombenoit** · Re: The Banna Fire Station Saga on Wed Aug 26, 2009 1:58 pm **tombenoit**

normanrc wrote:

...
My name is Gary Sagar. I was asked in Jan. 09 by the town administrator
to work with the fire chief on solutions to the North and South end of town for station locations.
If anyone would like to personally speak to me about any issues, please
call me at 508-761-5065.
In reading many of the messages on this site it is apparent that many of
the opinions and statements are derived from misunderstanding of the facts or by taking comments made by the Fire Chief and myself out of
context.
Rather than post a detailed message I invite anyone with questions
on the subject of the Banna station to contact me. Also, there will be
an open house on Sunday August 30th from 6 p.m to 8 p.m at the station. All are asked to attend, tour the facility and ask any and all
questions.
Please make an effort to get the TRUE FACTS in advance of the vote
on Monday, August 31st.
Thank You,
Gary Sagar

I will be trying to attend the 'Open House' but I believe that the place to answer questions and correct mis-understanding is in the forum in which the questions/mis-understandings appear and not at a hastily arranged, last minute 'Open House'. Additionally; seeing the conditions at the Banna station are not the issue to me. I am sure they are as out of date at the station was on Newman avenue. My principal question is - What is the problem? How did we get here? What is the total solution? How do we get there?

The Banna Fire Station Saga

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The Banna Fire Station Saga