Response times for fire and ambulance are under scrutiny after a 911 call is made.
Residents on the far west side of Montgomery, north of Route 30, have voiced concerns about the Sugar Grove Fire Protection District, with Montgomery Village Board member Steve Jungermann. Those residents live in the Foxmoor-Fairfield subdivision, of the Sugar Grove Fire District coverage. This is Jungermann at Monday’s village board meeting.
After the meeting, replying to those comments is Sugar Grove Fire Protection District Chief Brendan Moran.
There is a backup plan for the south end of the fire and ambulance district, Moran explains, involving Oswego, Bristol-Kendall, and Montgomery Countryside fire districts.
The fire chief was at the Montgomery Village Board meeting to voice his opinions on a proposed Tax Increment Financing District that would affect his fire protection district for the next 23 years, locking current tax revenue at about $800 despite a 250-acre pending development of commercial, industrial, and sand-gravel mining.
In addition, Chief Moran is concerned if Montgomery allows age-restricted senior housing or assisted living facilities there within the southern portion of the district because of the increased volume of emergency calls generated by those projects.
Moran talked about the possibility of building a new fire station in the western part of Montgomery.
Four acres would be needed for a satellite fire station site. In 2008 architect plans were developed for a satellite station but never constructed when economy and housing nosedived.
Moran said the current station is the perfect location within those square miles. He said that the district had looked at a Rt. 47-Jericho Road property, calling it a “decent area”, but IDOT expansion to four lanes on 47 would lose the entire frontage resulting in losing the station.
Another property on Jericho west of Orchard Road was considered years ago that had a pole barn and house for a temporary location until funds were ready for a full station there. No reason was provided for not pursuing it.
The Sugar Grove Fire District covers 36 square miles within Sugar Grove Township.
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