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Journey Disaster Response Team offered temporary extension as village readies fire facility move
Summary
The Village Board confirmed it will proceed with plans to retrofit the EMS facility and move the fire department across the tracks; Journey Disaster Response Team (DRT), which has used the EMS building rent‑free since 2017, was offered an extension until construction is complete.
The Village Board reviewed the Journey Disaster Response Team’s long‑standing use of an EMS facility and confirmed staff offered limited extensions while the village completes a planned retrofit to house the fire department on the other side of the railroad tracks.
Administrator Cassandra Hiller summarized the history: DRT has used the Silver Lake EMS building rent and utility free since at least February 2017; the village had paid a share of exterior maintenance and insurance costs for the facility during that period. During fall 2024 budget workshops the board budgeted funds to retrofit the EMS facility (including drive‑through doors) so the village could locate a fire station on both sides of the tracks. The village issued formal notice to DRT on Nov. 14 and set a March 2025 relocation target; staff reported ongoing conversations and said they can grant short extensions because the retrofit work remains incomplete.
Speakers from the community, and one person representing DRT’s interests, expressed concern about displacing the volunteer nonprofit and the difficulty of moving large amounts of equipment. One commenter asked the board to allow DRT to remain in the building until the fire department moves in and to provide 30 days’ notice for relocation; Administrator Hiller said that offer had already been made. Trustees noted attempts to identify other municipal space — including town garage bays and other village facilities — but staff said many municipal buildings are fully used and that Wilmot Fire Association declined to take DRT as a tenant. Staff and trustees emphasized the village’s intent to reuse or rent underutilized buildings (including the former Silver Lake Village Hall and adjacent fire department property) once the fire department relocates.
No formal board action to change relocation dates or tenancy was taken; staff said they would continue communication with DRT and will allow extensions as construction progress and scheduling require.
Ending: The board left the current timeline in place but directed staff to continue coordinating with DRT on any reasonable extension until retrofit work is complete and the fire department relocates.
