Tupper Village Board: Fire siren not obsolete

Jan. 24--TUPPER LAKE -- The Tupper Lake Village Board has voted to move the fire siren to the new Emergency Services Building.

The decision came after a month-long trial without a siren.

"Last month, we were debating whether to relocate to the siren from the fire station at 21 High Street to the new emergency service facility at 21 Santa Clara Ave.," Village Clerk Mary Casagrain said.

"We were debating whether to go with a new digital siren or use the existing one. The old siren has a vibration that some felt could compromise building structure."

First responders, firefighters and emergency medical technicians all receive notice via text message and pagers from the Franklin County Dispatch Center.

"The siren is more of a tradition. But we had some who said the blaring also alerts drivers and residents," Casagrain said.

"So the board voted to relocate the existing siren and move it to the new fire/police station.

"Some communities have eliminated it. We used to have three sirens -- there were two for the fire department. Sunmount still has a siren."

The siren silence test was conducted from Dec. 16 to Jan. 16.

The Village of Tupper Lake sirens don't go off at noon any more, the clerk said.

"Only in an emergency."

GRAND OPENING

With the new Emergency Services Building open, the Village Board set a date for a Grand Opening Open House.

The public is invited to stop by the new police and fire station between 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, Casagrain said.

"The Woodmen of the World are going to provide refreshments. It's the same day as Ice Car Races at the recreation park on the lake (Raquette Pond)," she said.

Meantime, the village is looking get an appraisal and put the old fire station property at 21 High St. on the market.

In other Village of Tupper Lake news:

PARK BENCHES: The State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has provided inmate construction services for new picnic tables and recreation park benches for Tupper Lake.

"A correction officer reached out to one of our board members and asked if we would need tables and benches made by inmates from Adirondack Correctional Facility," Casagrain said.

"We requested four octagon picnic tables; one is done but still at the prison. We'll have to go pick them up. They are starting the second one now.

"We've also asked them to build 12 benches. We're going to use them for our recreational park and the multi-use recreational trail from the train station to the park."

HEALTHY YOU: The Village Board praised the collaboration between Adirondack Health and Kinney Drugs in opening a new Healthy You Wellness Center at the store located at 94 Demars Blvd.

"They'll do just the common little things. It's not an emergency room, but for times when your child might have an earache or sore throat, the physician's assistant from Adirondack Health will check (it out). No appointments are necessary," Casagrain said.

"It's a walk-in service, Monday through Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. It's in the back of Kinney Drugs, by the pharmacy. They've remodeled it and everything.

"We are excited about it."

Email Kim Smith Dedam:

kdedam@pressrepublican.com

Twitter: @KimDedam

WALK-IN CLINIC

The Healthy You Wellness Center at Kinney Drugs in the Village of Tupper Lake is open 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Staff includes Physician Assistant Jacqui Snyder.

The walk-in medical clinic offers after-hours care for minor illnesses and preventative healthcare services.

--The medical clinic staff specialize in providing family health care and can diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and bronchial infections.

--Minor wounds, abrasions, skin conditions and joint sprains can also be treated.

--The cost for an office visit is $40. Cash, credit card or personal check are accepted. Onsite staff can provide documentation to submit to your insurance provider.

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