FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. – Supervisors in Franklin County have decided on a location for the new Glade Hill Fire Department after more than a year of debate. The county will locate the new department on land it purchased last year off Turtle Hill Road. That's the proposal the fire department liked best, but not everyone agrees with them.
Public Safety Director Billy Ferguson says, after more than a year of discussion, he's looking forward to Glade Hill's future.
"We're very happy with the way that it turned out, and we think that it will work best for our volunteers and our citizens," said Ferguson.
Ferguson says the more than five acres off of Turtle Hill Rd. will provide more space for the department to grow.
"As new vehicles come out there, they're large. At Glade Hill they needed more space. We had some water issues at Glade Hill, and ultimately it gives us a chance to encompass more, to offer better service to our citizens, which is our job," said Ferguson.
Supervisor Chair Cline Brubaker says that improvement in service played a big factor in the decision.
"Safety is a big concern and the time of getting them out," said Brubaker.
But many who live in South Lake were hoping the department would end up in the proposed South Lake Towne Center, and that it would attract businesses, like a new grocery. Locating the fire station at South Lake could have lowered insurance costs for surrounding businesses and prospective buyers, and some people are concerned not locating it there could affect economic development, but supervisors say, they have a plan.
"We haven't taken away our focus on economic development in that area. It's just the fire station will be in a proximity to that area, but not exactly in the specific area," said Brubaker.
The county has already begun to set money aside for the construction of the new department. Brubaker says, he's glad the county is finally moving forward with the project.
"Hopefully we have done something that will, in the long run, be very acceptable to all parties," said Brubaker.