Consolidation of local fire departments is among highlights of new plan
By Jennifer Eisenbart
Staff Writer
After numerous one-on-one meetings with City of Burlington department heads and Common Council members, the city now has its 2012 Strategic Plan.
That plan, which highlights short-term and long-term goals for the city, was presented at Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting.
The goal of the plan is to provide a framework to accomplish those goals.
Among the highlights of the plan:
• Study the feasibility of combining the City of Burlington fire department with the Burlington Rescue Squad, and also of combining the city and Town of Burlington fire departments.
• Complete development and possible expansion of the Burlington Industrial Park and BMOP to expand the tax base.
• Work to maintain current staffing and service levels in light of cuts in state aid, and also cut any non-essential services.
• Conduct a feasibility study for the renovation of the current public library or build a new one.
City Administrator Kevin Lahner said each of those goals are being discussed, and called it an “ongoing process.”
Long-term goals include technology issues and further evaluation of the city workforce.
Lahner said the study should give the city some focus in terms of how to deal with the issues identified.
“It’s a great process for administrative staff to go through because it helps us focus on policy issues,” he said.
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Consideration should be given to relocating the library to the former Kmart facility. Leasing that facility would provide more than adequate space for current and future growth of the library, it would provide excellent visibility, and provide more than enough parking (always an issue). Then relocate City Hall in the old library, and remodel the old City Hall into the Council Chambers.