New Fire Stations

Following the approval of a $42.5 million bond in the November 5th referendum, the City is moving forward with the construction of two new fire stations: one in South Sanford (Headquarters) and one in Springvale (District). The City’s administration is working closely with WBRC Inc., the engineering firm to finalize designs, issue bids, and establish a timeline for construction.

On December 3, 2024, the City Council reviewed and authorized the pre-construction costs and the bonding plan for the full construction costs for both fire stations. This approval allows the project to move forward, with the City using its undesignated fund balance for pre-construction costs for the HQ Station, up to $880,000. These funds will be reimbursed once the bonds are issued. Ronni Champlin, Sanford’s Finance Director explained, “The use of the fund balance for pre-construction expenses will allow us to maintain flexibility as the project schedules evolve.”
Administration’s recommended financing plan involves a “two-step drawdown process” for construction funds. This approach allows the City to access the money in stages, which helps reduce immediate interest costs. It also ensures that any pre-construction costs covered by the fund balance will be reimbursed once the bonds are issued. Each fire station will follow this process separately, with a staggered borrowing schedule designed to keep a consistent annual debt service. This method will also help delay the full cost of payments until 2029, two years prior to the City’s previous debt obligations are fully paid off, minimizing tax impacts as much as possible.

Tentative Construction Timeline

• Headquarters Station (South Sanford):
  • Design Completion: December 2024 - October 2025
  • Permitting: April 2025 – October 2025
  • Bidding: October – November 2025
  • Construction: December 2025 to April 2026
• District Station (Springvale):
  • Design Completion: January – November 2026
  • Permitting: June – December 2026
  • Bidding: January – February 2027
  • Construction: March 2027 – June of 2028

With the City Council’s approval, the fire station project is on track to proceed as planned. City administration will continue to work closely with the engineering firm to ensure designs are finalized on budget and construction can begin on schedule. The new Headquarters and District Fire Stations will play a vital role in enhancing emergency services and supporting the growing needs of the community.

The City of Sanford has a strong history of responsible financial management, avoiding overuse of bonding, and this approach will continue to guide us through this project. There will be a five-year “bump” in property taxes from 2026-2031. With a $2.6 million cost escalation and pending OSHA requirements, waiting isn't feasible. Proceeding with construction now helps ensure compliance and mitigates larger future costs.

New Fire Station Cost

The construction of two new fire stations will cost the community $42.5 million in total, if approved in November 2024. If the project is not approved, the cost increases by $2.6 million each year. The City's goal is to align construction with the retirement of current debt service to minimize the impact of introducing new debt service.

Competition for Grant Funding

Various grant opportunities exist, including those from FEMA, Congressional Direct Spending, and others, but they can only be pursued after we have a voter-approved project. Due to pending federal safety requirements for fire departments, stations nationwide will require upgrades. This increased competition for funding will decrease Sanford’s chances of securing federal grants if the project is not approved by voters this year.

Full Cost in 2024- $42.5 Million

• Initial Tax Increase: Peaks at $2.16 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2028, declining to approximately $0.09 by 2058.
• Impact on Home Valued at $300,000:
  • Peak net taxation increase in 2027: $248.05
  • Declining to $8.27 by 2058
• *Average Annual Impact: $231.19 ($4.44 per week)

Full Cost in 2030- $55 Million (plus $1 million to stay in current stations)

• Initial Tax Increase: Peaks at $2.13 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2031, declining to approximately $0.27 by 2061.
• Impact on Home Valued at $300,000:
  • Peak net taxation increase in 2032: $438.24
  • Declining to $73.33 by 2061
• *Average Annual Impact: $276.95 ($5.32 per week)
• Additional Cost for Delay to $300k Home: 34.32%

Note: The 5-year delay costs are included in response to resident inquiries about the potential impact. In addition to $13 million in project escalation costs, maintaining the current stations will require at least $1 million in renovations to keep the fire department operational until the new stations are built.

In 2020, Mitchell Associates and WBRC Architects conducted an Existing Conditions and Functional Assessment of the Springvale and Central Fire Stations. Below is a summary excerpt of the findings, with the full report available HERE

Safe Working Conditions

• Contamination Risk:

  • Lack of hot and cold zone separation allows airborne carcinogens to contaminate living and administrative spaces, violating NFPA 1500.
  • Inadequate ventilation in the apparatus bay exacerbates exposure risks.

• Overhead Door and Clearance Issues:

  • Original station doors are barely wider (10’) than vehicles; additional doors (12’x12’) are sub-standard.
  • Inadequate clearance around equipment poses safety risks (pictures 1-3).

• Storage and Cleanliness:

  • Insufficient storage leads to clutter, trip hazards, and sanitation challenges (pictures 4-14).

• Exhaust and Drainage Deficiencies:

  • No emergency CO exhaust system and absence of floor drains in the original building apparatus bay.

• Operational Limitations:

  • Non-drive-thru bays and limited overhead door width make backing apparatus into the station dangerous.
  • Steep stairs to basement storage and lack of secondary egress are significant hazards.

Proper Care of Equipment & Decontamination

• Inadequate PPE Storage and Decontamination:
  • PPE exposed to UV light in the apparatus bay, causing degradation (picture 30).
  • Only a residential washer and dryer available for decontamination.
  • Bathrooms and showers are not in the hot zone, causing cross-contamination in living quarters.

Living Quarters

• Health and Safety Risks:

  • Contaminants from the apparatus bay infiltrate living quarters, increasing cancer and germ contamination risks.
  • Kitchen is old and unsanitary; bunk rooms are noisy and not conducive to sleep.
  • Single bathroom lacks gender equity; non-compliant with ADA and ANSI standards (pictures 15 & 16).

• Egress and Ventilation Concerns:

  • Single means of egress is a violation; heating system is in an unrated, unventilated closet (picture 21).
  • Rodents present in living space; no mechanical ventilation (picture 19).

Offices and Training

• Lack of Facilities:
  • No offices or training facilities available.

Site Conditions

• Parking and Maintenance Limitations:
  • All bays are back-in only; front apron is insufficient for outdoor maintenance, requiring street-level traffic control (picture 22).
  • Only 4 parking spaces; 8-10 needed plus visitor parking (picture 23).
  • No space for mutual aid apparatus, training, or recreation.
  • Ponding water causes unsafe ice conditions.

General Conditions

• Building Condition:
  • Building is in fair to poor condition; water seeps into the basement, dripping on equipment (picture 20).

Compliance Issues

• Regulatory Violations:
  • Non-compliance with OSHA Consensus Standard, NFPA standards (1500, 1581, 1851, 1989, 1221), FEMA guidelines, Civil Rights Act, ADA, and state Fair Employment Statute.

At Tuesday July 2nd's City Council meeting, Mayor Brink's report focused on the benefits and financial effects of voting "YES" in November to approve the construction of two new fire stations in Sanford and Springvale. See her report below:

"As many of you know, Sanford and Springvale residents will vote this November on building two new fire stations at a cost of $42.5 million.

We understand this is a significant investment, but a “YES” vote means better protection for residents and modern facilities for firefighters, all at a cost to taxpayers of just $4 per week — about the price of a cup of coffee.

Some might think voting “NO” saves money, but that's not the case. If the project is not approved now, its cost will rise by $2.6 million each year. There are various grant opportunities available, including FEMA, Congressional Direct Spending, and others, but we can only pursue them with voter-approved projects. After election day, the City plans to apply for millions in grants, making community support crucial.

Additionally, new federal safety regulations (OSHA) are on the horizon, affecting fire stations nationwide. If we don't act now, we risk losing out on funding as competition for these grants intensifies. Rejecting this project means costly upgrades to our current stations to meet safety regulations, and still facing the need to construct new stations at a cost exceeding $45 million.

Voting YES is the smarter financial decision, saving money in the long term and securing our community's future."

🏚️ End of Useful Lives: The current stations, aged over 50 and 100 years old, are nearing the end of their useful lives.

🚧 Safety Standards: Retrofitting cannot meet the safety standards required for our firefighters or fulfill current fire station requirements.

🏠 Functionality Challenges: Even with retrofitting, the existing stations would remain too small to fully function, lacking essential space for modern fire department facilities.

💰 Cost Considerations: The significant cost of retrofitting would be better invested in new facilities that meet modern standards, given the age of the buildings.

🌐 Location Limitations: Both stations currently occupy properties too small for constructing a newly designed station.

🌍 Impact on ISO Ratings and Insurance: The current locations of Sanford and Springvale stations do not support maintaining low ISO ratings and affordable homeowners' insurance. New facilities would be strategically located to better serve our community.

🚀 Operational Efficiency: New stations would enhance operational efficiency, enabling quicker response times and improved deployment strategies to better serve our growing community.

🔧 Technological Integration: Current stations cannot integrate modern firefighting technologies effectively. New facilities would facilitate advanced technological integration, enhancing firefighting capabilities.

🏘️ Community Growth: New stations are essential to support anticipated community growth, ensuring adequate fire protection services for expanding residential and commercial areas.

While retrofitting may initially seem viable, the age, size, and location limitations of current stations make constructing new ones a wiser investment in our community's safety and well-being.

A Safer Tomorrow Starts Today

This slogan underscores the city’s dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of both the Sanford Fire Department staff and the residents they serve. It's not just about the Sanford Fire Department; it’s a commitment to the community, promising better fire protection services, faster response times, and improved emergency medical services.

The upcoming November election gives Sanford/Springvale voters the opportunity to decide on the construction of two new fire stations. Here's why these stations are urgently needed:

• Age: Our current stations are too old to meet modern standards, with the Sanford Station at 50 years old and the Springvale Station nearly 100 years old.
• Size: The stations are too small for modern needs, lacking space for essential facilities and equipment.
• Decontamination Zones: The lack of proper decontamination areas poses health risks to firefighters after exposure to hazardous materials.
• Equity Concerns: Inadequate facilities, with no separate showers for female firefighters and shared bunk rooms.
• Safety: Failure to comply with current safety standards poses risks to personnel and public safety.
• Location: Current locations are no longer optimal for serving our growing community.
• Cost Implications: Approval of the $42.5 million project allows for the immediate pursuit of federal grants, avoiding additional costs.

Every day SFD protects us; your vote protects them!