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Soil contamination stalls new fire station By Tony Boom TALENT � Fire District 5 would like to replace its crowded station, but purchase of a larger site is up in the air while possible contamination at the proposed location is investigated. Additional environmental studies will begin Thursday on the 6.75-acre site at 5811 S. Pacific Highway after a preliminary study showed possible soil contamination. The district�s 3,000-square-foot station at 716 S. Pacific Highway, built in 1963, is cramped and outdated and must be replaced, officials say. Earnest money has been posted for the $200,000 land purchase to build a new station. Fire District 5 expansion proposed Annexation could expand Fire District 5�s territory along Dead Indian Memorial Road east of Ashland to Buck Prairie Road. Jackson County commissioners will review the annexation, which has been sought by some area residents, at a Jan. 3 hearing. Opponents of the annexation need to obtain 100 verifiable signatures on a petition by the time of the hearing to force a vote on the issue. The district�s boundary now ends at the 3-mile marker on Dead Indian Memorial Road. The current district encompasses 105 square miles from Carpenter Hill and Fern Valley roads near Phoenix south throughout the valley area, excluding Phoenix and Ashland but including Talent. The district also serves residents along old Highway 99 to Callahan�s Lodge and on Highway 66 up to the Greensprings Summit. Property tax rates are $3.19 per $1,000 of assessed value, or $478.50 for a $150,000 structure. The district budget is $2.34 million per year. A second, smaller station is situated on Highway 66 across from the entrance to Emigrant Lake Park. District personnel respond to 1,200 calls per year, two-thirds of which are medical emergencies. There are 21 full-time employees and 35 volunteers. The district, with 18 full-time firefighters and 35 volunteers, provides fire and emergency medical response to about 17,000 residents in unincorporated areas and the city of Talent. The contamination, which may be from diesel fuel or oil, was found where a 12,000-gallon above-ground tank was formerly located. The site, currently owned by a Californian named Bob Nordin, was an orchard many years ago. Baker Environmental of Medford, which conducted the first tests, and the district�s attorney have recommended additional tests even though the contamination was not at a level to require action, said Talent Realtor Jack Latvala, who is handling the transaction. "They are doing exactly what they need to do, determining the concentration of material there and whether it has any hazardous constituents," said Claudia Johansen, a project manager for the Department of Environmental Quality in Medford. Possible remedies, if any, will be determined after the tests. "Lots of times the material is old enough or it has been there long enough that it doesn�t have hazardous constituents that pose health problems," said Johansen. "Once soil samples come back, and if DEQ decides what needs to be done, we�ll make a decision (on the purchase)," said Bill Robertson, chairman of the district�s board. A station reserve fund would be used to buy the property. Funding for the station, which could be started in three to five years, will also be sought from within the budget rather than from a bond or tax-rate increase, said Robertson. "A lot will depend upon the financing. If it�s the standard rate on a 30-year loan, it will take a little longer (before construction begins)," said Robertson. "We will try to find lower interest loans for a longer time period." A combination of private and government loans might result in a rate in the 5 percent range for a 30- to 50-year period, Robertson said. Grant money may be sought, too. Federal funds to aid fire services in rural areas may also be available "Our vision is to build a station that will work for 50 years or more," said Darin Welburn, division chief. The existing building lacks features found in more modern fire stations, including drive-through engine bays, a hazardous materials washdown area and ventilation equipment to allow running of engines inside without having to open doors. The station also lacks space. There is no classroom or meeting room and only one bathroom. Training films are shown on a screen pulled down in the engine bay. The one-third acre location has limited parking. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.