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Board posts Station 2 RFP, approves partial Station 4 upgrades and sets new chief salary range
Summary
Trustees authorized posting an RFP for renovation of Fire Station 2, approved $45,698 for doors and a concrete slab to ready Station 4 as a satellite facility (4–3 vote), and approved a hiring range of $115,000–$135,000 for the next fire chief.
Salem Lakes — The village board took several actions on fire department facilities and leadership: it authorized posting an RFP for Station 2 renovation work, approved a $45,698 contract portion to add doors and a slab to the building across from Fire Station 4 so it can function as a satellite facility, and approved a hiring range of $115,000 to $135,000 for a new fire chief.
Chief Carr and department staff presented two separate capital plans: an itemized renovation for the building across from Station 4 (drives, doors, interior sleeping/paint/ceiling work) and a scope for Station 2. The board authorized posting the Station 2 RFP to solicit itemized bids so the board can choose priorities according to available funds; that action only authorized soliciting bids and did not commit funds.
On Station 4 (the building across the tracks), staff presented an itemized contractor proposal that totaled about $88,302. The board had previously budgeted approximately $45,000 for the effort. Trustees voted 4–3 to approve the $45,698 portion needed to add drive‑through doors and a concrete slab so the village could vacate the current Station 4 building and potentially rent or repurpose it. A trustee in the minority questioned whether drive‑through doors and the slab were necessary given drive geometry and uncertain long‑term staffing needs after an upcoming jurisdiction change affecting call volumes; supporters cited faster west‑end access and the goal of reducing apparatus backing and equipment damage.
Separately, the board unanimously approved a hiring range for the next fire chief of $115,000 to $135,000 after staff and an executive search firm recommended a competitive range to attract candidates with experience in organizational and operational transitions. The current chief’s salary was cited as $100,800; staff said budget funding exists for the proposed range. Trustees discussed the need for a chief who can lead training, budgeting and the cultural transition from an earlier volunteer model to a larger full‑time operation.
Ending: The RFP for Station 2 will be posted to gather itemized costs; the board funded the immediate Station 4 door/concrete work so the village can open the across‑the‑tracks building as a satellite station and explore renting the vacated facility. The board directed staff to proceed with the chief search under the newly approved salary range.
