Boro Approves Architect to Create Firehouse Concept Design, Advocates Voice Concerns About Gardens, Basketball Courts

Bristol Borough inched closer recently to bringing a new centralized fire house to fruition as advocates for the Adam’s Hollow Gardens began voicing concerns about potentially losing the space they occupy because the Jefferson Avenue location has been identified as a potential new home for the yet to be designed/constructed  fire station.

The borough approved hiring architect Tracy Miller at $125 per hour to assist in creating a concept design for the new station, which is expected to house the four fire companies serving Bristol.

Mayor Ralph DiGuiseppe III said the borough met with the Bristol Borough Fire Association (BBFA) to begin discussions about a “conceptual design” of the new station. 

We’re hoping to have the building designed by the end of this year so that we can move forward with pursuing funding and construction by next year, DiGuiseppe said.

The ideal location would be where the community garden and basketball courts currently sit (Jefferson Avenue), he said, but noted council is committed to relocating those community resources if need be. 

“We are committed to keeping that in place. It’s a huge asset to our community, but we are first and foremost committed to fire safety,” DiGuiseppe said. 

Council is looking to have a functional design, the town’s firefighters and fire chief approve of, before moving forward with detailed plans, said Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe II. 

The idea that the basketball courts and Adams Hollow Community Garden could be replaced by a yet to be constructed firehouse has raised the ire of some Bristolians and those who use the courts for recreational purposes and enjoy the gardens.

Before the September council meeting and continuing to present day, discussions about the potential plan to build a new firehouse at that site among locals has been ongoing, leading sometimes to heated exchanges among locals who tried to explain plans for the new station are still in the infancy stage. Others asked aloud who was concerned about “the plan” to replace the basketball courts and garden.  Despite there being no actual approved plan in place for replacing the courts and garden, locals remained concerned.

Signage at the garden and basketball courts began appearing about three weeks ago, a tipster told Lower Bucks Source. Attempts to reach organizers, who placed the signs at the garden and basketball courts and those that maintain the gardens, have been unsuccessful as of Sunday afternoon.

Credit: Jeff Bohen
Lower Bucks Source

Council, earlier this year, approved applying for state funding to erect a new operations center for the four fire companies to operate out of and call home as part of the fire company consolidation effort recommended by state officials in 2021.  Just over two years ago, two of the four borough fire companies, America Hose, Hook and Ladder #2 (Station 25) and Bristol Consolidated Volunteer Fire Company (Station 50), announced they would co-house operations.  The move was seen as one of the many incremental steps towards combining all of the resources the fire companies have on hand and with the eventual merging of all the companies.

In related Bristol fire services news, the borough approved pay raises for officials in leadership roles.

Raises which went into effect October 1 increases the fire chief’s annual salary from $4,500 to $8,000, while the fire marshal’s compensation will jump from $500 to $3,000 per year. Herb Slack has served as the borough fire chief for years. 

Senior deputy chiefs saw an increase of $1,500.00  from $3,500 to $5,000 annually. A junior second deputy position, soon to be created and filled, will earn $5,000 yearly.  

Bristol officials said they felt they were righting a long overdue wrong with the announced increases.

Anybody that can leave what they’re doing and leave their family at the drop of a dime to save somebody’s life voluntarily has my utmost respect,” the mayor said.

Council meets tomorrow (Monday) evening, 7pm at the municipal building 250, Pond Street. Here is a link to the meeting agenda