Board nixes new fire station

Dec. 14--Norwood's leaders voted to cut their losses and stop plans to build a new fire department.

In a special-called meeting Thursday night, the Norwood Town Council voted unanimously to halt construction of a new $447,000 fire department on Indian Mound Road. After already spending $125,000 toward the project, commissioners instructed the town's staff to begin recouping any funds possible previously paid toward construction.

While it's not exactly clear how much money the town can recover, Town Administrator Bryan Bowles was instructed to start the process. He said the town should be able to recoup a permit fee of $2,000 as well as about $8,000 spent toward performance and payment bonds on the contractor.

The town could also sell the land acquired for the site.

"I'm sure we could recoup the money paid for the land if we decide to sell it," Bowles said.

Norwood had also paid the contractor, D.R. Reynolds of Star, an advance payment of $15,000.

"Some of the money not used, we can probably get back," Bowles said.

Bob Rawson, project developer at D.R. Reynolds, acknowledged the cancellation, adding that such stoppages are rare after a previous agreement. He said he understood the cancellation was due to "political" differences.

"It's a disappointment, but we knew this could possibly happen," Rawson said.

Rawson added that he's working at assisting the town with recovering any unused proceeds.

Little work had been done with various projects set to begin this week, which should help with collecting refunds.

Monday's inaugural meeting for three newly elected commissioners included a vote to order all work on the proposed construction to stop. Thursday's meeting was designated to identify how much money had been spent, compared to what was recoverable.

John Mullis is among the three new commissioners along with two existing ones that preferred to stop construction.

"The board felt like it needed more time to evaluate other options before committing to the project that was currently underway," Mullis said. "The cancellation of the contract, while unfortunate, will allow the town time to engage professionals who can review our current situation and help answer questions moving forward."

Plans include soliciting input from the Office of the State Fire Marshal about how to best proceed with a new fire department.

One of the issues related to the location of the new site.

"Many on the board felt like the location was not optimal as it moved the main fire station to a perimeter of the town and on the last lot within the city limits, away from the majority of town residents," Mullis said.

Norwood's Town Council began considering another fire department in January 2013, buying 6.34 acres for $60,000 seven months later. It's about 1 mile from Center Rural's substation.

Town officials chose the Indian Mound Road property so it could legally serve new lakefront properties with higher property values, instead of forfeiting the fire tax to Center Rural Volunteer Fire Department.

Norwood must pay Center Rural a fire tax of 10 cents per $100 valuation for the properties it serves.

Last year, Norwood paid Center Rural $15,000, twice as much as the previous year. As more properties are built-out along the lake, that sum would escalate.

Plans called for the Indian Mound site to eventually become the town's main station, with its smaller, downtown fire station becoming a satellite location.

Homeowners are able to purchase property insurance, fire coverage, at a reduced premium the closer a fire station is to properties served. It also depends on fire station ratings.

Other concerns discussed included logistical data. Center Rural, which covers 18 square miles, responded to 467 service calls from Dec. 1, 2014-Nov. 30, 2015, compared to Norwood's fire department (2.4 square miles) that responded to 37 calls, Mullis said.

Although scratched for the time being, Mullis did not rule out revisiting the idea of a new fire department at a later date.

"Once we have some preliminary ideas on how to enhance the delivery of fire services, we will ask the public for their input as well," Mullis added. "Our goal is to swiftly move forward yet take the time needed to provide the best situation for our residents.

Norwood's leaders sought bids back in March before settling on D.R. Reynolds. A public hearing was conducted in June with no one speaking in opposition to a new fire department.

Town leaders next met with the Local Government Commission in August for what was believed to be a formality for a loan to build the new facility. However, on behalf of Commissioner Linda Campbell, N.C. Rep. Justin Burr, R-Stanly, intervened at the Raleigh meeting and persuaded the agency to suspend the process.

In late October, the Norwood Town Council voted 3-2, led by former commissioners Larry McMahon, Robert Allen and Darrell Almond (Campbell and Commissioner Steve Bradley dissented), not only to proceed with construction of the proposed fire department, but to pay for the project from the town's general fund instead of a loan through the LGC.

Burr attended both meetings, Monday and Thursday.

To submit story ideas, contact Ritchie Starnes at (704) 982-2121 ext. 28 or email ritchie@stanlynews press.com.

Sandy Selvy-Mullis is publisher of The Stanly News & Press. Contact her at (704) 982-2121 ext. 27, sselvy@cnhi.com or PO Box 488, Albemarle, NC 28002.

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