West Mahanoy zoners hear fire company’s plan to build NAPA store
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Altamont Fire Co. Chief James Bechtel, left, provides testimony during Thursday's West Mahanoy Township Zoning Hearing Board.
SHENANDOAH HEIGHTS – The West Mahanoy Township Zoning Hearing Board heard nearly two hours of testimony Thursday evening pertaining for a plan a township fire company described as a fundraising “fail-safe.”
The Altamont Fire Company plans to build a 4,800 square foot NAPA Auto Parts store on the site of their grove, across from the firehouse on South Green Street, according to their testimony Thursday evening. The commercial building would be built in a high density residential zone, thus requiring a zoning variance.
Garry Peters, fire company assistant chief, told the zoning board that the buildings on site, including the food stand and bleenie stand, will be demolished to make room for the building, though the playground will stay in place.
The building and land would be wholly owned by the fire company and leased to NAPA for ten years.
James Bechtel, company chief, explained that the building and income generated as a result would help fund the company and offset rising costs, declining fundraiser revenue and volunteers to conduct such activities. Additionally, Bechtel cited the costs to maintain the grove’s facilities.
“It’s costing us more sitting there right now than we’re bringing in, which, in turn, is taking funds out of the fire department,” Bechtel said.
Zoning board solicitor Bob Matta asked Bechtel about the financial situation of the fire company.
“We’re doing okay, we’re keeping our bills paid and staying above water,” Bechtel said. “As I stated, it is getting harder and harder.”
“Everything is going up, nothing is coming down,” Bechtel said, noting that the company has about 15 to 20 active members.
“Absent this, do you think you can survive as a fire company up there,” Matta asked.
“We’re doing our best, that’s about the best I could tell you,” Bechtel said.
“Would you consider this to be a last resort, on behalf of the fire company, in order to maintain its financial stability,” Matta asked.
“I would say it’s not the last resort. It’s definitely going to benefit,” Bechtel said.
Neighbor Pat Kurpell asked Bechtel if the fire company had explored any other fundraising options.
“We’re peaked with manhours,” Bechtel said. “We get everything that we can, but everybody has a family, everybody has a [life.]”
Kurpell related to the struggle the fire company is facing as she said she’s dealt with similar through her church, though she said “I don’t feel like we should have to bear the brunt of that by having this business next door to our house.”
Peters said that the fire company, currently, is sustainable, and the building would provide a steady and consistent income month-to-month for the fire company, in contrast to the unpredictable income month-to-month from fundraisers.
“Is your testimony here today that that additional income would be utilized solely for the purpose of maintaining your equipment or buying new equipment for the good of the community,” Matta asked Peters.
“Absolutely,” Peters said. “This is for the good of the community. Without the fire department, the township itself will be paying an exorbitant amount of money for another municipality to come in and provide fire protection for our area.”
Peters noted that the building would be built via a loan, which prompted Kurpell to ask how that would translate to a profit.
“Everything is going up, nothing is coming down.”
James Bechtel, Altamont Fire Chief, on fire company expenses
“The lease agreement does cover all expenses for that building and it does allow us to have a substantial portion of funds that would, in the event our fundraising goes down, it covers us to stay in business,” Peters said.
“This is a fail-safe,” Peters added. “Weather, people, whatever you’re doing… if you get rained out, very few people are going to attend.”
Brad Hartline, owner of the Mahanoy City NAPA store and would-be lessee of the Altamont store, explained how the store would operate.
Hartline explained that the maximum hours for the store would be 7am to 6pm, though they vary from store to store and are often shorter.
Hartline explained that, though the store would be a publicly-accessible retail store, the majority of their business is wholesale.
“Most of our business is delivered to customers via our own delivery trucks. Garages, municipalities, manufacturers, other businesses.”
Brad Hartline, would-be NAPA lessee
“Most of our business is delivered to customers via our own delivery trucks,” Hartline explained. “Garages, municipalities, manufacturers, other businesses.”
Inventory would be delivered overnight via a box-truck, and no tractor-trailer traffic would be involved with the store.
Concerns were raised by the Kurpell regarding noise and water runoff. One specific concern raised was that the store’s loading dock would be on the side of the building closest to Kurpell’s house, specifically her home office. A possible solution was raised, proposing to move the dock to the opposite side of the building.
The zoning hearing board adjourned the meeting after just under two hours with no decision. A decision will be made at a later date, Matta said.
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