Plain Township, New Albany officials outline new fire station, federal grant and new apparatus

Plain Township and New Albany officials told the New Albany-Plain Local Schools board on June 29 that a planned expansion of Fire Station 122 is moving forward and that federal grant dollars and bond proceeds will support staffing and equipment.

Patrick Connor, Plain Township fire chief, said the project team selected Elford as the contractor on a lump-sum bid of $6.76 million and that the project is scheduled to complete in about a year (target roughly June 1, next year). "We have selected Elford as the contractor. They were... for the lump sum bid of $6.76 million," Connor said, summarizing the contract and schedule.

Connor also announced a AA+ bond rating (bonds priced at about 3.73%) used to fund capital work, and that the department received a federal SAFER grant of $1.628 million to help hire six new firefighters; the grant is competitive and requires matching local funds, and the performance period runs through 2028. "We were awarded that grant... $1.628 million and hired six new firefighters," Connor said. He added that the department has purchased an engine/rescue apparatus (about $936,000) and is training the new hires.

Officials said mutual-aid runs into Columbus have declined from about 30% of calls to under 17%, improving local availability for New Albany and Plain Township residents. The presentation noted the department is coordinating apparatus delivery and staffing so vehicles and personnel align with station opening.

No formal board action was recorded on the fire items; the presentation was provided as a community update by Plain Township and fire-department leaders.