City answers questions about budget forecast, projects

Over 100 Montgomery residents showed up at the second town hall on Saturday, March 22, at city hall. The meeting lasted three-anda-half hours with residents concerned over the potential budget forecast with potential projects forthcoming. After the meeting, remaining residents were welcome to tour the fire hall and talk with firefighters to see the conditions they are dealing with.

Most in attendance were interested in gathering information and expressing what they thought the city should do, with the exception of one resident who decided to talk over the mayor and city administrator and was shut down by the crowd. A resident then said, “Hey, I have an idea here. How about if we let these folks go through their presentation, see all the information, and then we have open discussion after,” which was met with an applause from the group.

Consensus

Overall, many were concerned about their taxes increasing to a point that wasn’t sustainable for them, but they agreed that the projects the city has potentially planned are very important or necessary but would like to see the city do what they can to reduce costs wherever they can.

Fire Hall and Pumper Truck

Less than half of the equipment that the fire department utilizes, is stored actually in the fire hall. The remaining portion is stored at Hruby Rentals, which costs $8,500 annually, according to City Administrator Brian Heck. With that equipment being stored there for the last 12 years already, that equates to about $100,000 spent on renting that second space so far.

“OSHA is looking at updating their firefighting standards,” said Fire Lieutenant and former fire chief Kenny Pavek. “That’s part of it of where the talk is about the building, if we get ahead of it before it turns into where the city is looking at a heavy fine.” Pavek says that a draft of the codes are out there but have not been approved yet.

“A lot of the reason why we have not been replacing (fire vehicles) is because we can’t get a bigger truck because they won’t go into this hall. Our newest truck is 18 year old, and that’s part of the problem is we keep, like Tom said, ‘It’s good enough. It’s good enough.’ Well, it’s no longer good enough. I’m sorry. I don’t make a lot of money either. I don’t want to see my taxes go up either, but I think we’re up against the wall here with building a new hall,” said Fire Chief Tony Kadrlik. City of Montgomery already owns a plot of land next to Traditions on Lexington Avenue NW where a new fire hall would most likely be built.

Mayor Eisert also reminded people that, with equipment being stored at two separate facilities, response time is