Spaniard’s Bay firefighters rearing to make repairs to the Fire Hall

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The speed at which members of the Spaniard’s Bay Volunteer Fire Department have tackled a refurbishment of the Fire Hall has caught members of council a little off guard.

The firefighters have already begun painting and plastering ahead of council’s chance to act on the department’s recent request for financial help to buy materials for renovations, which it estimated to cost approximately $10,000 in total.

At this month’s public council meeting, Mayor Paul Brazil noted council had discussed last month trying to get a grant this summer to cover projects such as the renovations. But council was not aware the department had planned to begin the work so soon. 

“Some of the firemen are handy at doing some plastering so they got a fair bit of that done,” the mayor said. “So, they’re ready to start doing some priming and painting.” 

Brazil said it’s too early for the Town to acquire the grant, and the amount of money the fire department is requesting was not accounted for in this year’s budget. He suggested that, for the time being, council provide the fire department a portion of the funds, at least enough to cover the primer and paint. 

Deputy Mayor Tammy Oliver agreed with that idea. “We’ll just have to make sure they hold off on the rest of the repairs,” Oliver said, “because it wasn’t budgeted and it’s a fair amount.” 

Oliver put a motion forward to give the department a $1,000 advance to cover the work already started. Councillor Paul Ryan seconded the motion, which then carried.

Meanwhile, the handiwork of an individual firefighter was also acknowledged and commended during the council meeting. Firefighter Jason Cumby has recently been going around town repainting fire hydrants on his own time. 

Deputy Mayor Oliver praised Cumby for his work. “He’s doing a fabulous job,” she said. “It’s nice to see someone take pride in the town and help us out in that way. Much appreciated.”