Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive |
Rosston Fire Station Finished; Council UpdatedBY JOHN MILLERPublished Wednesday, February 14, 2001 in the Nevada County Picayune Rosston now has a new fire station to house its firefighting equipment. At the regular monthly meeting of the Rosston City Council, Mayor Lewis Jackson said the building itself is up and the volunteer firemen have put up the interior walls and built a storage space. Additionally, they have framed in what will be the meeting room for the council. Jackson said electricity is hooked up to the building, but the lights haven't been installed yet. Regardless, this is where the department's new firetruck is being housed. It's being kept in the center bay, which has door access on both sides to allow the truck to get in and out easily. The conference room, Jackson said, is larger than the one currently used by the council in City Hall. The original idea had been to Sheetrock the room, but this was scrapped as water from the trucks and hoses could cause the Sheetrock to rot with the city then having to replace it. Instead, the council decided to panel the room. Jackson said the studs are 12-inches apart so it could handle the weight of gear and equipment stored on top of the room. The entire building will be insulated, along with the conference room. In fact, the council decided as there will be enough insulation left, the conference room's ceiling could also be insulated. However, until the duct work is in place, the room will remain framed only. The heating and air conditioning unit, Jackson said, is in place, but isn't hooked up yet. Before this will be done, a gas line will have to be ran to the unit. Before the conference room is completed, he said, the city will have to pay the building off and see how much money is left over. When the council meetings are moved, City Hall's conference room will be used as office space for the city treasurer/recorder and water superintendent. Once the fire station is finished, Jackson said, an open house will be held to show it off to the public. But, he said, there will be no telephones in the fire station proper. This is to prevent the possibility of anyone abusing the system by making unnecessary long distance calls. "I'm really proud of it," Jackson said of the fire station. "It makes Rosston look better." There is the possibility the city could get money back from the Christmas Day ice storm, he said. Jackson, along with other public officials, has been meeting with representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on a weekly basis since the disaster, providing them with the information FEMA needs to cover 90 percent of the cleanup costs. Incidentally, FEMA extended the deadline for cities and counties to get the debris cleaned up for another 60 days. This means instead of it having to be done by Feb. 27, it must be finished by April 27. Rosston, as other cities and counties, hired outside help to get the roads cleared. Part time help, Jackson said, was also used to put gravel down where it was needed. Now, he said, the city has to prepare the invoices for FEMA showing the work has been completed on the five miles of city road damaged by the storm. Debris from the cleanup was hauled to Jackson's property to keep from contracting this portion of the job out and having to let bids on it. In all, he said, it was finished in four or five days, but gravel is still being hauled to repair the damaged roads. Volunteer hours were submitted to FEMA for work done on the roads, with this to be deducted as in-kind labor for Rosston. Under the breakdown, FEMA will pay 90 percent of the cleanup costs, with the state paying 5 percent and cities/counties responsible for 5 percent. But, the city/county portion can be with in-kind labor/equipment. The city's water audit has been completed and the results returned to the city already. Jackson said the auditor came to town on Jan. 29, with the report returned in time for the Feb. 5, meeting. Councilman Edna Kelly said more than one person needs to see the bills, besides the one who collects the money and makes the payments. She also suggested Water Superintendent J.D. Luck provide a monthly report on expenses for the council. He said the bills are a matter of public record, and if anyone wants to look at them they're welcome to do so. Search | Nevada County Picayune by date | Gurdon Times by date |
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