Top city officials were on the hot seat Tuesday night, as residents who live in the area of the planned Fire Hall No. 2 asked some tough questions at a public meeting .
Ground breaking on a new $4.5-million station in a plot of city-owned land at the corner of Chandler Road and Milloy Street is expected to take place in less than a month.
It’s been a quick decision by the city and the process has upset neighbours who are still learning details.
Area resident, Laura McGregor, is concerned over the location to nearby St. Bernard School.
"My biggest concern is these fire trucks swinging around these roads when there are a lot of children, a lot of cars," she says.
However, Fire Chief Bruce Montone told those in attendance there shouldn’t be a problem.
"We have several, and in fact one of the stations that we're losing, Station 2, has three schools and a high school," he says.
Officials admit they had to act fast.
A provincial arbitrator awarded city firefighters raises and a shorter work week earlier this year.
City engineer, Mario Sonego says the decision would have added $4-million annually into the operating budget, unless major changes were made to reallocate resources.
Sonego says concerns were addressed from the last meeting and the city has agreed to add sidewalks, landscaping and a crosswalk.
The measures seemed to have satisfied some neighbours.
