Guilford- As Guilford's development continues to grow and venture northward into more rural areas, having enough water available to a fire truck can mean the difference between extinguishing a fire quickly and almost extinguishing a fire.
With this in mind, the fire department, along with a recommendation from the town engineer, has asked that developers pay a $1,500-per home fee for a water tank storage fund.
“We have put in a request for a formalized effort for installing these water tanks,” said Deputy Fire Chief Wayne Vetre.
At its recent meeting, the Board of Selectmen approved the measure, which is for new construction only, in subdivisions not served by a public water supply.
“This issue came to light as new developments were being planned and built in areas remote from water sources, and based on recommendations from the Fire Department,” said Town Engineer James Portley.
Vetre says that public water, through hydrants, serves only 25 percent of the town.
“Most development occurs outside of this, which creates a unique challenge for the fire department since water has to be trucked in,” said Vetre.
Vetre said that because the amount of water on a fire truck is limited and the source and location of static water supplies may be limited (and not without their own set of challenges), the underground tanks, which can hold 30,000 gallons of water, are very much a necessity.
“In our initial response, we can assemble 10,000 gallons of water,” said Vetre. “Large water tanks, holding 30,000 gallons of water and strategically located within a development, would serve our goal for initial fire attack,” Vetre said.
Thirty thousand gallons of water would buy a significant amount of time, added Vetre.
Static water sources such as ponds, lakes, and rivers, are not as reliable due to unforeseen circumstances such as a drought or a freeze.
The origins of the proposal, said Portley, began when developers were building up on Tanner Marsh Road at Franklin's Way, a 21-unit development built in 2004.
“There were objections by the developer at the time to pay for the construction of a water main from Goose Lane up to Tanner Marsh Road,” said Portley.
By attaching the $1,500 fee to completed houses, the funds are available, if needed, to build a water tank to service a development.
“Many other towns have done this with success,” said Portley.
Vetre agreed, saying that towns such as Madison, North Madison, and Killingworth all have ordinances requiring similar measures.
At present, the only water tank in town is at the Melissa Jones Elementary School on Ledge Hill Road. Portley said that the tank holds 30,000 gallons and had cost between $30,000 and $40,000 to build several years ago.