New Berlin holds forum over new firehouse and community center proposals
NEW BERLIN – The Village of New Berlin held a public forum Wednesday to discuss the creation of a new firehouse and community center, thanks to $900,000 in donations.
The Chobani Foundation contributed $550,000, to the project. The Preferred Mutual Insurance Company donated about $150,000, a NY State Grant is providing another $150,000, Golden Artist Colors Inc. donated $30,000, and NBT Bank donated $20,000. Other businesses such as New Berlin Pizzeria and Gates-Cole Insurance, also made significant donations or offered support.
The donations have highlighted a larger story about the New Berlin area. Intensified in the village, it is one of recent growth and change and the challenges they bring.
At the forum village officials, project engineers and volunteer firemen made a presentation on why they need a new firehouse, and how they intend to go forward with the project.
Issues with the old department included a wide range of things, including cracks in the building's foundations, bending of the walls, along with a history of economic half-repairs designed to meet the the changes in state requirements and codes.
The building needs new drainage for oil water separation, an exhaust ventilation system, hazardous showers for firemen and a heaving concrete floor with cracks stretching through it, said officials.
At the forum members of the public welcomed the growth but also pointed out the increase in traffic congestion, especially with heavy truck traffic coming through town.
Fire officials also noted the growth in local business facilities combined with the age of the current fire facility were trends at that could lead to more challenges.
Noting the Chobani and Golden Artist facilities, and the Unadilla Valley School campus being in the fire district, the department told the meeting it lacked a ladder truck for tall buildings.
New Berlin Mayor Terry Potter said local residents would also have a chance to contribute to the projects, including a program to get family names on bricks for donations.
The center will be owned and run by the village and open to the public, Potter said the new location of the projects, near where the current DPW is, would reduce the village’s congestion and offer a chance to grow the community in a positive way.
The community center project would be coordinated with Chobani, who had selected a local contractor to work on the facility plan, Principal Design and Engineering. As it moves forward officials said parts of the project would go through the regular bidding process.
Mike O'Reilly and Dan O'Reilly of Principle Design & Engineering, PLLC attended the meeting. Mike said the new community center and firehouse would also be designed to be an emergency shelter for the community.
Potter also said community center would be called the Chobani Community Center in recognition of the company’s contribution.
The planned firehouse project will include 7,000 square foot space with six garage bays and will include offices and separate rooms for gear, meetings, training, and storage. The structure will help the department continue to serve the village and surrounding areas.
The 2,400 square-foot Chobani Community Center will be a place where local residents can come together to celebrate special moments for their families, the region, and the country. It could also one day hold municipal offices.
Pictured: At a forum last night New Berlin officials talked about how to use $900,000 in donations. At the forum village officials, project engineers and volunteer firemen made a presentation on why they need a new firehouse, and how they intend to go forward with the project. (Tyler Murphy photo)
The Chobani Foundation contributed $550,000, to the project. The Preferred Mutual Insurance Company donated about $150,000, a NY State Grant is providing another $150,000, Golden Artist Colors Inc. donated $30,000, and NBT Bank donated $20,000. Other businesses such as New Berlin Pizzeria and Gates-Cole Insurance, also made significant donations or offered support.
The donations have highlighted a larger story about the New Berlin area. Intensified in the village, it is one of recent growth and change and the challenges they bring.
At the forum village officials, project engineers and volunteer firemen made a presentation on why they need a new firehouse, and how they intend to go forward with the project.
Issues with the old department included a wide range of things, including cracks in the building's foundations, bending of the walls, along with a history of economic half-repairs designed to meet the the changes in state requirements and codes.
The building needs new drainage for oil water separation, an exhaust ventilation system, hazardous showers for firemen and a heaving concrete floor with cracks stretching through it, said officials.
At the forum members of the public welcomed the growth but also pointed out the increase in traffic congestion, especially with heavy truck traffic coming through town.
Fire officials also noted the growth in local business facilities combined with the age of the current fire facility were trends at that could lead to more challenges.
Noting the Chobani and Golden Artist facilities, and the Unadilla Valley School campus being in the fire district, the department told the meeting it lacked a ladder truck for tall buildings.
New Berlin Mayor Terry Potter said local residents would also have a chance to contribute to the projects, including a program to get family names on bricks for donations.
The center will be owned and run by the village and open to the public, Potter said the new location of the projects, near where the current DPW is, would reduce the village’s congestion and offer a chance to grow the community in a positive way.
The community center project would be coordinated with Chobani, who had selected a local contractor to work on the facility plan, Principal Design and Engineering. As it moves forward officials said parts of the project would go through the regular bidding process.
Mike O'Reilly and Dan O'Reilly of Principle Design & Engineering, PLLC attended the meeting. Mike said the new community center and firehouse would also be designed to be an emergency shelter for the community.
Potter also said community center would be called the Chobani Community Center in recognition of the company’s contribution.
The planned firehouse project will include 7,000 square foot space with six garage bays and will include offices and separate rooms for gear, meetings, training, and storage. The structure will help the department continue to serve the village and surrounding areas.
The 2,400 square-foot Chobani Community Center will be a place where local residents can come together to celebrate special moments for their families, the region, and the country. It could also one day hold municipal offices.
Pictured: At a forum last night New Berlin officials talked about how to use $900,000 in donations. At the forum village officials, project engineers and volunteer firemen made a presentation on why they need a new firehouse, and how they intend to go forward with the project. (Tyler Murphy photo)
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