Sloatsburg may not be getting a signature project soon but it may get more gear for the Sloatsburg Volunteer Fire Department. And good gear helps save lives.
At the Village Board meeting last Tuesday, SFD Second Assistant Chief Chris Morse made an appearance with a small contingent of firefighters to present the board with an itemized list of gear and equipment upgrades the department needs to bring the department into compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and to meet various other state and agency requirements. Morse also spoke at the board’s January 8 meeting.
The department’s equipment list includes turnout gear that would complete the gear purchased last year, including respirator systems with SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) face pieces and tanks, and a new Jaws of Life — or vehicle extraction device.
The SFD was the second fire department in Rockland County to purchase a vehicle extraction device — back in the 1970s.
The Village Board issued a 5-year, $100,000 Public Improvement Serial Bond last year to purchase fire gear, a new Public Works truck, and for other municipal improvements and repairs at both the Municipal Building and other village properties. $35,000 of last year’s bond was used to purchase 20 new units of fire turnout gear.
The board is considering a Serial Bond of upwards of $125,000 for the fire equipment and other municipal improvements, including a new boiler for the Municipal Building — currently being put together by village Clerk and Treasurer Tom Bollatto. When the board reconvenes on Wednesday, February 13, it will to vote on the SFD funding request and bond proposal.
Rockland County District 1 Legislator Doug Jobson also made an appearance before the board, providing an update on the Waldron Terrace bridge and proposed sewer lines for that area. The Rockland County Sewer District 1 recently put a package for the area out to bid.
Sewer District Assistant Director Mike Saber said that the district is working on various bid packages to complete the Sloatsburg sewer project, including a package to complete work along the Ballard and Academy neighborhood, and one that will finish sewer lines around 1st and 2nd Streets near Sloatsburg Elementary School. These projects have no start dates slated.
Saber did say that the Pine Grove Lakes bid package is currently being undertaken, which means that the legendary sewer for that Sloatsburg neighborhood may just true — but is still another few years away.
There will be a Public Hearing related to Sloatsburg sewer assistance funds Wednesday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sloatsburg Municipal Building. The hearing convenes after the Village Board meets, which has moved its next meeting to coincide with the hearing and because of the Presidents’ Day holiday. Representatives from the Rockland County Sewer District will be on hand to answer questions.
Additionally, Chair of the Sloatsburg Community Development Committee Adrienne Fuchs will present information and answer questions related to grant monies available to help offset sewer hookup costs for Sloatsburg income eligible residents.
Fuchs briefly presented the Development Committee recommendations to the board, which included two proposed ramps at Harmony Hall for public accommodations that would meet the Americans with Disabilities Act. Fuchs also proposed purchasing a certain number of individual and family pool passes to the Sloatsburg Community Pool for income eligible residents. The efforts would be paid for with grant monies, if approved and available at the county level.
Due to contracts with the Town of Ramapo, the SFD is nearly self funding. But just like any big family, someone eventually needs new jeans or something not in the budget. In this case, a new pair of Jaws of Life — that handy hydraulic rescue tool emergency responders need to pry people out of precarious situations.
