ROGERSVILLE — The Hawkins County Commission’s Buildings Committee voted unanimously Thursday in favor of allowing an addition to be built onto the county- owned Stanley Valley fire station.
The building, which houses the Stanley Valley Volunteer Fire Department, is also used as a community center and voting precinct.
Stanley Valley VFD Chief Stacy Vaughan told the committee Thursday his department is outgrowing the facility, and he needs to add on a 40-foot-by-20-foot structure to store equipment.
“Back when I started in 1989, we had a few pickup trucks and a milk truck for a tanker,” Vaughan said. “Now I’m in the process of having to replace trucks, and every truck we get we’re having to have special built — or if we buy it off the Internet it has to be a certain size to fit in the building. Right now I’m in the process of having to replace a tanker, and I’m having a heck of a time finding one to fit in the space I’ve got to work with.”
Vaughan said the Stanley Valley VFD board of directors has agreed to build the addition at the rear of the building.
He said the addition wouldn’t affect the county’s part of the building. The county’s solid waste department “convenience center” is located adjacent to the rear of the fire station property, but Vaughan said the addition wouldn’t affect that facility either. He said the addition would leave enough space between the convenience center fence and the new structure to get a lawn mower through.
“Of course we will fund the whole project, and it will do nothing but add assets to the county,” Vaughan added.
Vaughan told the Times-News he believes the addition will cost about $15,000.
In other business Thursday the committee:
•Heard a report from County Mayor Melville Bailey that $50,000 has been released to courthouse renovation general contractor Joseph Construction. The county is still holding onto the final $50,000 payment. Bailey said there are some spots on the porch he wants addressed.
•Heard a report from Bailey that the courthouse parking lot paving specifications have been completed, and the project will be planned for shortly after Rogersville’s Heritage Days is completed the second weekend in October. He said the project has been estimated by different contractors to cost $12,000 to $19,000, and it will be advertised for bids.
Work should begin by “mid-October,” and an open house for the public to view the newly renovated courthouse will be scheduled after parking lot paving is completed.