Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company has unveiled “Campaign 60,” a $3-million capital campaign to fund expansion and renovation of its Swain Station, 950 S. Ott St.

Fire company officials are seeking $215,000 annually, or $1.5 million over seven years, from Salisbury Township toward the “Campaign 60” goal.

With the arrival of a new fire truck in September, and the firehouse project, Western Salisbury Fire Company, founded in 1959, looks forward to its 60th anniversary in 2019, hence the “Campaign 60” moniker.

Work on the firehouse is expected to begin in spring 2018. The project is to be completed in July 2019. During that time, Western will run from its 3425 Eisenhower Ave. station.

“This is the launch,” Western Salisbury Fire Chief Joshua G. Wells said of the “Campaign 60” presentation at the Aug. 24 township board of commissioners workshop.

Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Bonaskiewich told a reporter for The Press after the meeting commissioners would need to discuss Western’s request. Commissioners could discuss the matter at Sept. 24 and 28 township meetings, workshops and/or executive sessions.

“They’re going to need to talk about it,” Bonaskiewich told a reporter for The Press, adding, “There’s a lot of parameters.”

“We will look at how we can possibly pay for this,” township Commissioner President Pro-Tempore Debra Brinton told The Press.

If approved by commissioners, the amount would need to be included in the 2018 township budget. The funds could be raised through issuance of a municipal bond.

Funding for the remaining $1.5 million is being sought from individual donors and business, corporate and nonprofit entities. Fire company officials said they have met with officials from Lehigh Valley Health Network, which operates Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest, in the township.

A contingent of Western Fire Company officials attended the Aug. 24 commissioners workshop in the municipal building when the PowerPoint presentation was made.

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“We are embarking on our largest project and capital campaign in the company’s history,” William J. Fisher, chair of the capital campaign, director on the Western board and a firefighter, said in his presentation.

Fisher said Western officials have been working for two years on the capital campaign.

The architect for the project is Howard Kulp Architects, PC. Kulp attended the workshop.

Fisher emphasized the value Salisbury Township residents and business owners receive from the all-volunteer company is estimated at $3.4 million annually.

“We didn’t just pull that out of thin air,” Fisher emphasized of the figure, saying it’s based on what would need to be budgeted each year for an equivalent fire department of salaried personnel.

Western has 35 members, 31 of whom are firefighters. The volunteers donate more than 6,000 hours answering more than 400 calls annually (456 in 2016). The fire company is funded by an annual fund drive, state grants and the township.

The Swain Station opened in 1971 and was renovated in 1979 and 1995.

“The growth of the project has been made possible by The Swain School,” Fisher said. Swain donated the land for the firehouse site, and recently donated additional land for the proposed expansion.

Western received approval for the project from the Salisbury Township Planning Commission, Oct 13, 2015; township commissioners, Sept. 24, 2015, and the Salisbury Township Zoning Hearing Board, April 7, 2015.

Crucial to the improvements is raising the height of the roof to allow for improved fire apparatus clearance, now not much more than the width of a hand, as depicted in a photo in the presentation.

Other improvements include:

•Expanded fire engine bays

•Education and training facilities, offices

•Improved crew quarters

•Men’s and women’s restrooms

•Modernize the heating ventilation and air conditioning system

“We certainly can’t do it without your support,” Fisher said to the board of commissioners, with one member absent.

“I don’t see this as a west side project. You help out on the east side, too,” township Commissioner James Seagreaves, a volunteer firefighter with Eastern Salisbury Township Fire Department said.

“I’d like everyone to do their fair share,” township Commissioner Joanne Ackerman said. Western is located in Ward 5, which Ackerman represents.

“We have spoken in April to Lehigh Valley Health Network, including last week [the week of Aug. 13],” Fisher said. “We will hope to report to you that they [LVHN] will make a contribution.”

Discussion during the workshop included the possibility of a Community Development Block Grant for the firehouse project. It was recommended Western officials contact elected state and federal representatives concerning funding.

Wells made the analogy that, while the township police department and public works department provide a service to township residents, officials in those departments don’t have to raise money to run the departments. “We as volunteers must go out and raise money to provide the service for free,” Wells said.

“I’m certainly in favor of supporting the project,” Robert Agonis, a western Salisbury resident said.

“Get your checkbook out,” quipped board of commissioners Vice President Robert Martucci Jr.

Said Brinton to Western officials, “I have no problem with you expanding the station. We just have to figure out how to do it.”

Township commissioners next meet 7 p.m. Sept. 14 in the township municipal building meeting room.

It was noted Western Salisbury Fire Company “Community Day” is Sept. 23.

Note: Contributions may be made for “Campaign 60” to Chief Joshua G. Wells, President Adam G. Al-Khal: westernsalisburyfd@gmail.com or by calling 610-437-6600.