Crystal Thomas
The State Journal-Register
Springfield aldermen voted unanimously Tuesday to ask a firefighter board to use tax money it controls to pay for half the cost of technology that would give city firefighters more green traffic lights as they drive on busy Veterans Parkway. The other half of the $105,000 cost for devices that would be installed in four fire rigs and on some intersections along Veterans would come from the city’s coffers.
Fire Chief Barry Helmerichs requested the new equipment so firefighters responding to emergencies could bypass traffic congestion on Veterans and get to their destinations quicker. Although the fire department gets a low volume of calls from that part of town, traffic is heavy and the nearest fire station is a significant distance. As a result, response times for the area average 7 minutes 24 seconds, while the citywide average is 3:45, the chief said.
During Tuesday’s Springfield City Council meeting, Ward 10 Ald. Ralph Hanauer amended the chief’s original request so that some of the funds to pay for the equipment would come from a fund controlled by the Springfield Foreign Fire Insurance Board.
When out-of-state companies sell fire insurance policies in Illinois, they pay a 2 percent tax. The money is distributed by the Illinois Municipal League once a year to foreign fire insurance boards. Springfield’s board, made up of active and retired firefighters, votes on how the money will be spent.
Some aldermen were reluctant to pay for the whole upgrade out of city coffers when the city’s operating deficit is projected to be $11.5 million.
“If the foreign fire insurance board would commit to the money, I would be a ‘yes’ tonight,” said Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin, who had previously opposed the purchase.
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No vote on new subdivision
The subdivision, which would have 50 duplexes, is planned near Centennial Park, along Lenhart Road, known for its dips and ditches. The ordinances that will be debated in December concern the subdivision’s location and sketch map, its use of Lenhart Road to access a detention pond and another road issue.
McMenamin noted that two members of the city council – Ward 3 Ald. Doris Turner and Ward 8 Ald. Kris Theilen – were not present. “The proponents must be worried about passage,” McMenamin said.
Joe McMenamin for Ward 7 