By Bruce Rolfe
After reaching out to West Shore Services and receiving quotes for new and used weather warning sirens, Public Safety and Fire Chairman Nick Ludwig reviewed some options for the Climax Village Council to consider at the regular August 6 meeting.
Because two council members and Clerk Linda Coburn were absent August 6, the Council will discuss the topic at a future meeting.
The Village Council is also interested in the public’s input.
The four options include:
• A new AC/DC two-way capable siren site at a cost of $28,500 to furnish, deliver, and install the equipment with battery back up.
• A used AC/DC remote siren that is comparable to the new warning siren, with a back up battery and two-way connection that allows local control for testing on a monthly basis, activated locally and activated through Kalamazoo County dispatch. The cost is $18,100 to furnish, deliver and install the equipment.
• A used SCH10 AC only siren, with no back up battery at a cost of $13,200. Ludwig said with a generator in place at the Climax Township Fire Station the chances of losing power to the siren would be very low.
• A used federal AC only siren site at a cost of $12,900 to furnish, deliver and install the equipment.
There is a one-year warranty on each warning siren.
Ludwig is trying to determine if ARPA funding can be used for the tornado warning siren purchase.
The Public Safety and Fire Chairman has also met with Climax Township Fire Chief Scott Smith to discuss hooking up the siren to the existing pole.
Residents can contact the village with any input at: climaxvillage@gmail.com
In 2011 former late Galesburg-Charleston Township Fire Chief Gary Henson was able to purchase five weather warning sirens. Four were put up at various locations in Galesburg and Charleston Township, including Cold Brook Park (which still functions). The fifth warning siren was offered to the Village of Climax and installed near well house No. 3 located on the west side of the Village near the railroad tracks. Eatons provided the pole and Burkett Signs, with assistance from the Galesburg-Charleston Township Fire Department, set the poles at the location. The cost to the village to install the system was $875 for hardware parts and electrical expense to hook the system up.
The weather warning siren worked in 2014 but did not rotate. It eventually stopped functioning and a previous council chose not to repair the warning siren.
In another item covered at the August 6 meeting, Public Safety and Fire Chairman Nick Ludwig updated the Council about the recently approved terms of a one-year contract with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department for 40 hours of coverage in the Village based on officer availability. The one-year contract runs from June 2, 2024 to June 1, 2025. If the Village chooses to extend the agreement the Village will need to notify the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department in writing on or before February 15, 2025 with a request stating the type of sheriff service desired. The sheriff will then provide the Village with a cost. There is a 90-day cancellation period.
The cost is approximately $40,000 and ARPA funds will be used.
After reaching out to West Shore Services and receiving quotes for new and used weather warning sirens, Public Safety and Fire Chairman Nick Ludwig reviewed some options for the Climax Village Council to consider at the regular August 6 meeting.
Because two council members and Clerk Linda Coburn were absent August 6, the Council will discuss the topic at a future meeting.
The Village Council is also interested in the public’s input.
The four options include:
• A new AC/DC two-way capable siren site at a cost of $28,500 to furnish, deliver, and install the equipment with battery back up.
• A used AC/DC remote siren that is comparable to the new warning siren, with a back up battery and two-way connection that allows local control for testing on a monthly basis, activated locally and activated through Kalamazoo County dispatch. The cost is $18,100 to furnish, deliver and install the equipment.
• A used SCH10 AC only siren, with no back up battery at a cost of $13,200. Ludwig said with a generator in place at the Climax Township Fire Station the chances of losing power to the siren would be very low.
• A used federal AC only siren site at a cost of $12,900 to furnish, deliver and install the equipment.
There is a one-year warranty on each warning siren.
Ludwig is trying to determine if ARPA funding can be used for the tornado warning siren purchase.
The Public Safety and Fire Chairman has also met with Climax Township Fire Chief Scott Smith to discuss hooking up the siren to the existing pole.
Residents can contact the village with any input at: climaxvillage@gmail.com
In 2011 former late Galesburg-Charleston Township Fire Chief Gary Henson was able to purchase five weather warning sirens. Four were put up at various locations in Galesburg and Charleston Township, including Cold Brook Park (which still functions). The fifth warning siren was offered to the Village of Climax and installed near well house No. 3 located on the west side of the Village near the railroad tracks. Eatons provided the pole and Burkett Signs, with assistance from the Galesburg-Charleston Township Fire Department, set the poles at the location. The cost to the village to install the system was $875 for hardware parts and electrical expense to hook the system up.
The weather warning siren worked in 2014 but did not rotate. It eventually stopped functioning and a previous council chose not to repair the warning siren.
In another item covered at the August 6 meeting, Public Safety and Fire Chairman Nick Ludwig updated the Council about the recently approved terms of a one-year contract with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department for 40 hours of coverage in the Village based on officer availability. The one-year contract runs from June 2, 2024 to June 1, 2025. If the Village chooses to extend the agreement the Village will need to notify the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department in writing on or before February 15, 2025 with a request stating the type of sheriff service desired. The sheriff will then provide the Village with a cost. There is a 90-day cancellation period.
The cost is approximately $40,000 and ARPA funds will be used.
