Minutes - 19871215 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~arklands. PEARSON STEWART , spoke in support of the parks and recreation and greenways portion of the CIP. The physical environment -- open space -- is vitally important to the welfare of the county -- both its present and future citizens. KATHY YOUNG , parent and part-time aide at Sewell Elementary, stated that the PTA's in all the schools are doing their part in helping to support the schools by providing needed supplies, paying salaries of aides, providing playground equipment, etc. Sewell needs additional space. She asked that a multipurpose center be considered for Sewell. WITH NO FURTHER COMMENTS, THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED. The public hearing was continued to January 4, 1988 at 7:30 for receipt of additional public comments. Commissioner Hartwell stated that although a bond issue is definitely central to raising the sort of money that is required by the CIP, it is not the exclusive source of monies available. In the case of the schools, 19.5 million dollars will be available from other sources in the course of the five year period. D. RESOLUTIONS OR PROCLAMATIONS None. E. REPORTS 1. FIRE MARSHAL REPORT (a copy of this report is in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's Office). Emergency Services Director Bobby Baker presented the report. In July, 1987, the Orange County Fire Chief's Council requested funding for a county fire marshal's position. At that time, the Board requested that Baker compile a report to provide additional information. , To determine what other counties were doing, a questionnaire was sent to fifteen other counties with similar needs as Orange County. He summarized the results of this questionnaire. He stated that combining the position with other roles and responsibilities would be the most cost effective and he presented a list of those responsibilities. The cost of $8,988.00 for the position would include salary, housing, transportation and miscellaneous. The employee could be housed in the county emergency services facility and be under the Office of Emergency Services. Ronnie McAdams from the Fire Chief's Council stated that the volunteer firemen do not have the time to extinguish fires, do building inspections and work fulltime jobs. He asked that the Board consider funding this requested position. In answer to a question from Commissioner Halkiotis, Tim Bradley, Executive Director of the North Carolina Firemen's Commission, stated that the insurance service organizations rates fire departments nationally and in North Carolina the Department of Insurance also rates fire departments. The ratings start at class 1 (maximum protection) and go dawn to class 10 (na protection). The savings in insurance premiums between 10 and 9 is approximately 38o and from 9 to 8, 18~. Maximum utilization of equipment goes into the rating of a fire district. A fire marshall would be able to maximize the use of equipment and help to improve the insurance rating. He pointed out that state law 115-525 requires that all schools be inspected and it is up to the County Commissioners to appoint someone tc do that inspection quarterly with a report to the school principal and superintendent's office. Commissioner Willhoit pointed out that reducing the class rating on a $100,000 hams from nine to seven would reduce the insurance