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Following the first letter, Town Administrator John Doyle and Fire District 13 Chief met to discuss the situation. This second letter came with a proposed amendment to the operating agreement that the Fire District wanted the town to sign.
Paragraph 13.1 of the existing agreement states: "Upon termination, the Town shall have the first right to purchase the District's right, title and interest in the LaConner Fire Station by providing written notice of its intent to purchase the LaConner Fire station. If, within thirty (30) days of notice to terminate the agreement, the Town does not provide to the District written notice of its intent to purchase the LaConner fire Station , then the District shall have thirty (30) days to provide written notice to the Town of its Intent to purchase the facility..."
The June 24 letter is alarming because the Council minutes for June 22, June 8, and prior, do not refect any motion to buyout Fire District #13's one half undivided interest in the fire hall. The Mayor, all by himself, has exceeded his authority and has committed the taxpayers to a very expensive purchase. At the August 24 meeting someone should ask the Council to get involved.
ReplyDeleteThe Town holds the leasehold rights to the land on which the fire hall sits. If the District wants to occupy and use the premises on its own, then the District will have to obtain a sublease from the Town. Otherwise, the new "brigade" will be a squatter on the land and can be evicted.
Dan OD