HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975 11-04 Maplewood establishes south area fire station REVIEW Maplewood establishes
south area fire station
by Scott Carlson order "because we have short and long
Although city manager Michael Miller term problems."
does not consider it an ideal site, the But Mayor Robert Bruton said that he
Maplewood city council,at its last regular would be willing to go along with an
meeting (Oct. 16), voted to establish an "interim" fire station. "I think to spend
"interim" fire station on Upper Afton twice as much as we are now is the wrong
road for the south end of the city. way to go,"Bruton said. "I can't see two
While Miller pointed out that a site at fire stations."
Linwood avenue would be more ideal and The city planning commission
would probably save the city money in the recommended that an amendment to the
long run the problem is that the Linwood master guide plan be denied and that the
avenue site does not have sufficient city consider sharing fire facilities with
development for recruiting a large Woodbury at its station, which is about
enough fire-fighting force. one-third mile east of the intersection of
Bob Bade,chief of the East County Line Century avenue and Upper Afton road.
Fire Department, told the council that "It does appear that that station does
"our concern is that if we put a station on have capabilities of housing additional
Linwood avenue we may not get enough equipment,"Miller said. He said that the
fire-fighters depending upon what kind of Woodbury station might be used tern-
housing comes in." porarily while the city proceeds with
building a permanent station.
Miller, in a memorandum to the But Wiegert said that he would be
council, said that only two people in the "pretty nervous about utilizing Wood-
Linwood avenue area said they would be bury."He pointed out that the fire trucks
interested in serving as volunteer fire could possibly have a difficult time
fighters. A similar survey along Upper crossing Century avenue.
Afton road indicated there would be about After further discussion the council
20 interested citizens, Miller added. directed the staff to investigate acquiring
The issue has come up because East the property for possible fire stations at
County Line Fire Department maintains Linwood and Upper Afton road and that
that it can't serve the south end of the the Upper Afton site be considered an
town fast enough. Should a permanent "interim" solution.
station be built on Upper Afton road there A more permanent site should be
would be an amendment to the city's considered to the south the council
master guide plan, Miller said. suggested.
Councilman Burton Murdock admitted The Upper Afton road fire station,
that the city should not proceed with a fire which is under consideration, would be
station at Linwood avenue at this time. located west of Century avenue and the
"It would be foolish to put a fire station in Carver elementary school. The Linwood
if you don't have enough volunteers," he avenue site which would be a suggested
said. two miles away from East County Line
Councilman Donald Wiegert thought fire department, would be located at the
investigating both fire stations were in intersection of Century avenue.