Rockwood awaits water, sewer lines at new fire station Contractor seeks options this week

ROCKWOOD – The deadline for completion of the new Rockwood Fire Station has passed with still more work to be done, but all involved are pleased that progress has been made.

The Somerset County commissioners agreed in June to have the fire station completed by Sept. 1 as part of a contract with the Rockwood Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association.

The contract came after months of turmoil between the commissioners and Rockwood firefighters, who had resigned at one point when budget negotiations broke down.

“We’re making a lot of headway,” Somerset County Commissioner Joe Bowman said Monday, acknowledging that the project had not been completed in the time planned. He said the commissioners have every intention of following through with the contract and finishing the project.

Although the fire station has been constructed, the water and sewer have not yet been connected to the building, according to Caryn Simino, president of the board of directors of the Rockwood Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association.

“We’re just basically waiting for answers from the proper authorities,” Simino said.

A contractor retained by the county commissioners plans to meet with a plumbing inspector and a soil specialist Wednesday to determine what options are available to provide sewer and water to the building, she said. One option that may be considered is to have the fire station serviced by the sewer and water supplied to the adjacent community center, she said.

Even though the work has not been completed, Simino said firefighters recognize that commissioners are trying to make sure it happens the way it was intended in the contract. She said the board of directors this week agreed to continue to move forward.

In the meantime, the department continues to answer emergency response calls. “We fully intend to continue,” Simino said. There are too many properties and lives at stake not to, she stressed.