1997 November Newsletter - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

NOVEMBER R__1 997 a�, w'S r HUGO CITY HALL, 5524 UPPER 146TH STREET NORTH HUGO, MN 5503,$ t 9id'NISCk.ry�r. �3 -- correct all of the problems with the existing building; and will not address problems with the facility's location. After the expenditure of a million dollars, C' will ,,. have compromised the quality of the facility,'haf of g ' which will still be 40 years old. Given these costs and? considerations,we have come to the conclusion that building new is best for the future of the Department and the community. r From property value information recently received from the County Auditor-Treasurer's Office,the maximum impact.this project will have on property taxes is $58.30 per$100,000 in taxable market value. For the average µ homeowner in Hugo, this represents an annual tax The existing Fire Hall was built'in 1960,with.an addition built in 1967. increase of less than$70.00 per year. People owning A separate 12 x 66 trailer provides administration and training space. higher valued homes and business will, of course,pay ru OPEN LETTER TO THE CITIZENS OF HUM more than this. Whether a property owner can afford this Creating a new home for the Hugo Volunteer Fire expense, or feels it a wise investment,is a personal deci- Department remains an issue before the community. sion.We encourage residents to express their opinion by It remains an issue because the current facility is too voting at the bond referendum being held on November small to serve the Department's needs,now or in the 18, 1997. future. It remains an issue because the building's doors We-believe that the Hugo Volunteer Fire Department pro- are too small for modern firefighting equipment;the vides an exceptional value to the community.With an floor drains don't work in the winter; and there are no toi- operating budget of under$100,000 per year,the lets or running water to serve the offices and training Department is responding to over 200 emergencies per room. year. Hugo's firefighters are dedicated to the community, It remains an issue because it's unsafe for fire equipment well trained, and serve with very little compensation. and firefighters responding to calls to repeatedly maneu- Providing the Department with adequate facilities is not ver on narrow residential streets and along ballfields and only an important part of providing emergency services, playgrounds when responding to an emergency. it also provides an inducement for people to join and stay Some have said that remodeling the current facility would with the Department.We encourage people to visit the be cheaper and more cost effective for the community. It current fire station and ask themselves if these are condi may, or may not,be cheaper; it would not be as cost tions under which they would work, or conditions under effective.The City appointed a Citizens'Committee and Which they would expect their employees to work.Then hired an architect to provide options and cost estimates ask yourself if this is a place where you would work for for expanding the Fire Hall where it stands.Adding the little or nothing. Personnel costs for a full-time depart- extra space needed,and correcting some of the problems ment would exceed$600,000 per year. Even adding with the existing building,will cost between$750,000 another$160,000 per year in debt service costs, the Fire A$870,000. Property acquisition and construction costs Department is a good value for the community. rovide adequate street access to the site will cost an The City is hosting an Open House at the Fire Station additional $275,000.This street construction will benefit (under the north water tower) on Wednesday,November the Department,but no one else.The cost of a new build- 12, 1997 from 7:30PM to 9:OOPM. Stop by and gain your ing is estimated at$1,050,000. own impression of the current facility and the needs of Remodeling and expanding the existing facility will not the Department. Fire Hall continued inside. . . .