News

By Rich Pollack  
                 
    The town of Highland Beach, which has been without a fire truck of its own since the summer, is wrapping up negotiations with Delray Beach on a proposed long-term contract in which the larger city would provide a fire truck and a rescue vehicle while continuing to staff both.
    At the same time, Highland Beach town leaders have not stopped looking at additional fire-service alternatives, including using services and equipment from other nearby communities.
    “We’re about 90 percent there but there’s always that last 10 percent,” said Highland Beach Town Attorney Glen Torcivia. “We’re not closing the door on any other options.”
    The town has had discussions with representatives from Boca Raton, Boynton Beach and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, Torcivia said. The town also considered being part of an effort investigating the feasibility of a barrier island fire district, but recently backed out of that discussion.
    Under a current contract that expires in 2017, Highland Beach pays Delray Beach Fire-Rescue to provide staffing for a ladder truck and a rescue truck, which operate out of a town-owned fire station.
    Although Delray Beach is not required to provide equipment to Highland Beach, it provided a truck at no cost when Highland Beach’s aging ladder truck was frequently broken down and out of service.
    Highland Beach now pays $8,500 a month to use a Delray Beach ladder truck, but continues to operate its own 10 year-old rescue truck.
    Under the proposed contract being negotiated, Delray Beach would lease a truck and a new rescue vehicle and would own the equipment after 10 years.
    Highland Beach would reimburse Delray for the monthly payments and would have the opportunity to buy the vehicles from Delray Beach for $10 after the 10-year term expires.
    Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Chief Danielle Connor estimates it would cost the town about $150,000 a year for both vehicles. She also pointed out that the cost of staffing the trucks would fluctuate based on the city’s actual staffing costs.
    The contract includes a clause that allows either side to cancel the agreement with one year’s notice.
    Under the agreement, Highland Beach’s name would be on the ladder portion of the truck, Connor said, but Delray Beach Fire-Rescue would be on the door.
    Highland Beach sold its 20-year-old fire truck at auction this summer for $6,000. But its quest for a new firetruck goes back more than five years, when residents voted against approving the purchase of a new truck in a referendum. The town charter requires most purchases over $350,000 to be approved by voters.
    The current negotiations, according to Torcivia and Connor, have been slowed by conversations Delray Beach had with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue about the county possibly taking over Delray Beach’s fire-rescue service. Those talks have been discontinued.
    “We had mutually agreed to delay discussions with Highland Beach while the city of Delray Beach explored consolidation with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue,” Connor said.   
    In other news, it appears Highland Beach will not need a municipal election this spring since no one is challenging Commissioner Carl Feldman for his seat. Filing closed at noon on Nov. 24 with Feldman being the sole candidate for the three-year commission seat.
    Commissioners also reminded residents at their November meeting that the town’s annual Light Up the Holidays celebration will be held at 5 p.m. on Dec. 7 at town hall. The free event will feature a performance from the award-winning Dimensional Harmony Choir of Boynton Beach and will include treats and beverages at no charge.