Modular coming down!

After sitting for more than three years in the center of the city, a temporary housing modular for Hillsboro Fire and Rescue employees has been sold and a crew began the removal process this week. 

Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink said the facility, which was installed by the city in June 2006 to house firefighters during their shifts approximately six months after Zink ordered the firehouse to be vacated due to safety concerns, was recently sold to Leroy Hinkle for $15,100.

Zink said the city had twice accepted bids on the modular. According to minutes from the December 2009 meeting of the Hillsboro City Council, Zink said, "There was a bid on the modular, just one bid and it was kind of a joke, so we rejected it and we're re-bidding. There were several inquiries on the building and I think part of the problem just getting one bid was because we could not tell the interested parties when the modular would be available."

On Tuesday, Zink told The Highland County Press, "When this bid came in (Hillsboro Safety and Service Director) Ralph (Holt) called the law director (Fred Beery) and he said that if he contacted each member of council by phone to see if they would accept it, that would save having to have a special council meeting. Nobody objected. Like me, they want to get it out of there."

Hillsboro Auditor Gary Lewis said the initial cost of the modular was $52,000, set up was $7,699.36, the walkway was $1,014.28, for a total of $60,713.64.

"I'd hoped it would have brought in more," Zink said. "It served a purpose. They had been in there six months and three different firemen said that they had got off their allergy medicine once they got out of the dump they were living in. I guess it was worth it." 

Zink acknowledged that the modular had not been popular among Hillsboro citizens.

"I didn't like it either, but to me the safety of the employee is like the safety of the people," Zink said. "If we don't treat our employees right, we can't expect to be treated right by them. That building (the fire station) wasn't safe, and if I had to do it over again I'd do the same thing. The ranting and raving some of the citizens did can go in one ear and out the other. It's just one of those things, and it doesn't bother me. You have to do what you think is best, and the people who agree with you think it's fine and the people who disagree with you think it's terrible."

Brandy Chandler is Managing Editor & Editor of Online Content Creation and Development of The Highland County Press. She can be reached at (937) 840-9490