MOUNT HOLLY FIRE DISTRICTFire Station Renovation Referendum

December 12, 2015Relief Fire Company

17 Pine Street, Mount Holly2PM – 9PM

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Mount Holly Fire Department is to promote life safety for the

residents and visitors of Mount Holly Township through the effective delivery of community

education, code enforcement, and emergency services. We are committed to serving our

community with professionalism, excellence, and devotion to duty.

Board of Fire Commissioners

• Donald Pike, Chairman• Richard McIlwee, Vice Chairman• Joshua Brown, Treasurer• Stefanie Haines, Secretary• Patricia Cauley, Commissioner

Why? Why Now?

The need for updated facilities is not new and is part of the fire district consolidation initiative which began in 2006.• Consolidate facilities from 3 to 1.• Consolidate operations to respond from 1

headquarters station (Relief – Pine St.).• Sale of former stations, placing them back on

the Township tax rolls (Union-Washington St. & Good Intent – Garden St.).

Why? Why Now?

• Current facilities are over 100 years old which the most recent renovation occurring in 1968 (47 years ago).– Existing facilities do not meet current operations and

safety standards as established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

– Facilities are undersized for current apparatus, manpower, and operations.

– Aging facilities are becoming more expensive to maintain.

– Inefficient infrastructure equates to wasted dollars.

Deficiencies

• Facilities lack insulation and efficient windows thus leading to increased cost of utilities.

• Roofs are leaking and in need of replacement.– Water infiltration has led to deteriorating roof

decks and near unfit occupancy conditions.• Unreinforced block and stone construction

has led to cracks and settlement.– Also making the structure vulnerable during a

seismic event, high winds, or heavy snow loads.

Deficiencies• Current overhead doors are too small.

– Leave little room between apparatus and structure when backing into station.

• Lacking adequate storage for equipment.– Additional onsite storage structures amount

to increases in insurance coverages.– Spare equipment is stored in the engine bays

and is exposed to toxic diesel exhaust and UV damage.

• Not enough space for current and future apparatus inventory.– Vehicles being stored outside and subject to

weather and UV damage.

Deficiencies

• As a historical landmark in Mount Holly, the current facility lacks a fire suppression (sprinkler) system.– If a fire were to occur in the firehouse, its spread would be

rapid due to lack of suppression.– Loss of equipment, historic artifacts, and possibly life would be

irreplaceable.• Plumbing is undersized and will not permit filling of the

fire trucks indoors when temperatures are below freezing outside.– Trucks must fill from the outside hydrant on the street. This

provides a risk for accidents or injury due to weather.• Facility is currently not ADA compliant.

Operational Deficiencies• The current compressed breathing air

fill system is positioned in the apparatus bay.– The fill system draws contaminated air

from the apparatus bay.• The current training area is located in

the apparatus bay.– When training, the trucks must be

moved from the bay, floors decontaminated, and tables/chairs setup prior to training.

• There is currently no dedicated decontamination area for equipment and personnel.

Operational Deficiencies• Currently the facility lacks adequate office

space to perform essential functions.– The Chief and officers share an office of 140

sq. ft. with only two workstations to conduct department business.

• Inadequate living space.– Currently no sleeping quarters for overnight

stays (storm standby, inclement weather, etc.).– Current member lounge is 70 sq. ft. to

accommodate the entire volunteer staff.– No shower facilities for female firefighters. No

locker or changing facilities for female and male firefighters.

Operational Deficiencies• Currently there is no diesel exhaust

capture or extraction system in the station.– Diesel exhaust fills the apparatus bays when

trucks are started.• Floor drains discharge into sewer system.

– Wastewater is not separated or treated prior to discharge (Does not meet current DEP standards).

• Inadequate room for fitness equipment.– Heart disease is the leading cause of death in

firefighters. Heart health is only as important as the programs and equipment in place to assist with promotion of a healthy lifestyle.

Proposed Renovations

• Renovations were planned to satisfy the needs of the District for the next 50 years.

• Renovations will address all identified deficiencies.

• Proposed renovations will provide the Township and its various community groups with meeting space year-round.– Little League, Neighborhood Watch, Girl Scouts,

Mount Holly Recreation, Seniors, etc.

Proposed Renovations

• Proposed facility will include emergency power generator for use as an emergency shelter.

• Facility will house a modern, self-sufficient emergency operations center for use in storms and during times of disaster.

• A new kitchen will serve the organizations utilizing the community room.– Will serve those sheltered in the facility during times of

disaster and displacement.– Will serve the Township recreation programs.– All appliances will be properly suppressed and vented.

Proposed Renovations

• The renovated facility will include energy efficient lighting, occupancy sensors, HVAC, and plumbing.

• Eco-friendly paved parking lot will save on annual regrading of current stone parking surface.

• Increased surveillance cameras and lighting will assist MHPD in area and provide for safer parks to rear of Relief property.

What Are The Costs?

• Acquisition/Financing $ 46,800• Soft Costs $ 969,444• Site Development $ 570,000• Building $6,390,595

$7,976,839

And how much do these costs impact you?(View the next slide to find out)

TAX IMPACT SUMMARY

Length of Bond 20 years

2015 Township Assessed Valuation $646,718,273.00Tax Impact Per 100 Assessed 0.083Tax Impact Per 100,000 Assessed 83.12Assessed Value $176,277.00

1762.77Est cost per year $146.31Est cost per month $12.19Est cost per week $2.81Est cost per day $0.40

Mount Holly Fire District No.1 - Bond ReferendumTax Impact Summary

The information listed above is for the average assessed home in Mount Holly Township. Double-click the highlighted cell to enter your specific household information. Once

entered, press ENTER to recalculate values.

Current vs. Proposed Apparatus Bay Area

PROPOSED HISTORY ROOM

TRAINING / COMMUNITY ROOM

Proposed Floor Plan – 1st Floor

Proposed Floor Plan – 2nd Floor

YOUR NEW COMMUNITY-FOCUSED FIREHOUSE

THANK YOU

The volunteers of the Mount Holly Fire District thank you for your time and consideration of this much needed renovation project. We appreciate your continued support. Without YOU, we would not be able to continue our proud 236 year tradition of firefighting and serving the fine residents of Mount Holly Township.