Mendon fire chief says small apparatus bay bid ballooned after regulatory requirements; council approves footing and foundation

Mendon Fire Chief Ray told the City Council that a proposed small apparatus bay at the south side of the fire station has seen a large cost increase after the project required a regulatory compliance package for public works projects. “It bloomed to about a hundred and $86,000,” he said, summarizing a second round of bids that reflected added compliance and contractor pass‑through costs.

Why it matters: The project began as a relatively modest addition intended to create apparatus storage and relieve congestion inside the station. The chief said earlier contractor estimates and a non‑compliant approach would have kept cost near $80,000; the mandatory compliance documentation and associated requirements increased the foundation bid and related site work. Ray said he could afford footing and foundation costs alone but not the full building, and he sought council guidance on how to proceed.

Council actions and options: After discussion the council agreed to accept the low bid for footings and foundation (Landmark) and to proceed with that phase now, while treating the full building as a phased project. Council members also supported acquiring a Conex (shipping container) to provide interim storage and committed to residential outreach to neighbors about aesthetics and placement. The mayor said the council would work to phase remaining construction in later budgets.

Funding and alternatives: Ray outlined payback estimates from a lender that would have required roughly $9,700 per year for 10 years — a cost he said the department could not absorb without budget increases. He suggested adding a small dedicated fee for fire service (he cited a $3/year fee used in neighboring Wellsville as an example) or other budget adjustments. The mayor and council discussed potential bank options, grants, and parceling work across multiple fiscal years.

Quotes and context: “Thanks to the regulation, Us taxpayers, we gotta cough up more money if we're gonna try to build anything nowadays,” the chief said. Council members repeatedly framed the choice as phased construction or postponement; one councilor called footing without an immediate superstructure “pretty much worthless if you're not going to put something on it,” while others noted that phased foundations can be completed now and the building added later.

Ending: The council instructed staff to accept the footing and foundation bid and to return with a plan for phased completion, possible temporary storage (Conex), and financing options or community outreach if a dedicated fee is pursued.