Dave Sutor
The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
(TNS)

Mar. 1—JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — A plan is being developed to move the Johnstown police and fire departments from the nearly century-old and rundown Public Safety Building on Washington Street to a new location.

City Manager Ethan Imhoff provided tentative details about the proposal during the Cambria Regional Chamber’s annual State of the City Address held at Ace’s on Tuesday morning. Officials are also considering ways to improve the fire department’s auxiliary stations on Ash Street and Fairfield Avenue.

“We’ll be making an announcement soon on the Public Safety Building on relocation,” Imhoff said during an interview following his formal presentation.

“On the location of the fire facilities, we’re not sure whether we’re going to completely rehab the two existing ones, (or)relocate one and keep another. That’s still a decision to be made yet, but the Public Safety Building will be moved.”

No firm timeline has been established for the project, although Imhoff added that it is “something we’re moving on very soon.”

Imhoff said a “very short list of locations” is being considered for the site of a new main station.

“We’re just waiting for all the proper sign-offs and blessings before announcing that,” Imhoff said.

The city is seeking funds for the project.

“Council allocated the $2.5 million of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding in the (20)23 budget to begin moving along with this,” Imhoff said.

“We’ve already had some conversations with our state and federal legislators about looking for state and federal support on this project, too.

“It’s probably going to be in the $6-, $7-, $8-million range.

“We got $2.5 million from council. We’re going to need some additional funds.”

The Public Safety Building, which was built in 1925, has had structural problems in the recent past, including with water and mold.

“I’m glad that there’s an effort in place to try to upgrade the facilities for the guys that are putting their lives on the line for the city, both police and fire,” said Councilman Michael Capriotti, a former fireman.

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When the Clinton Township (OH) Fire Department chief approached Sutphen with a unique request for the department’s new apparatus, the manufacturer reached out to Kussmaul to help design a system that would fit the requirements. The customized Freedom eGen system enables power to be provided to critical components even when the engine is not running. Solar panels installed on the cab roof allow for replenished charge while the vehicle is on scene.

On March 7, residents of Audubon will have the opportunity to vote on a proposed $2.8 million general obligation bond. If passed, this proposed bond would strictly be used to help fund the construction of a new Audubon Fire and Rescue Station.

Audubon Fire and Rescue currently uses a building built in 1971 as a car dealership. Audubon Fire and Rescue moved into the building in 1975. The building has been added to three times since then, but the facility can no longer be expanded due to floodplain issues and existing property lines.

Voters approved the purchase of a new fire truck at a special town meeting held on Thursday at the Sorrento-Sullivan Rec Center, ellsworthamerican.com reported.

The article was passed in a 31-20 vote after hours of heated debate, the report said.

The new truck, an International pumper and tanker combination, will be paid off over a period of 10 years, and is expected to be in service for at least 20, according to the report.

The new truck will replace Sullivan’s existing tanker truck, which is a 1992 Ford and at more than 30 years old is no longer in active use. The current truck is too old to find parts for, making it difficult to refurbish, the report said.

A big point of contention at the meeting was that up to $650,000 was sought to purchase the truck, as specified in the warrant article, but the truck is expected to cost roughly $100,000 less than that amount, according to the report. Some residents said that they felt this was a way for the Select Board to write a “blank check” for any amount.

Officials said the extra financial wiggle room was added due to the volatility of truck prices, but that no more money than was required to purchase the truck would be used, the report said.