(Oct. 13, 2016) Though public burnings have long ago fallen by the wayside as a form of public entertainment, the Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company is hoping the public makes an exception this Saturday at noon with an effort they think everyone can support: the public burning of its paid $2.8 million mortgage.
The 10 a.m. event is being held in conjunction with the annual Fire Prevention Week and will include tours of the facility, finger foods and other refreshments.
The theme of this year’s prevention week is smoke detectors, which the National Fire Protection Association recommends replacing every decade (the date of manufacture is stamped on the device).
“We’ll also have a moon bounce and a fire prevention trailer, which reinforces the message of “stay low and go,” Jerry Barbierri, chairman of the board of directors of the company, said.
But the star of the show, Barbierri said, is the building itself.
“We had previous buildings owned by the city, but we outgrew them,” he said.
The next most recent headquarters, on Fifth Street, is still owned by the town and remains vacant. The City Council is still determining a proper course of action on the disused facility.
“Around the turn of the century,” Barbierri said, “we began looking for a new location — something more central. We found a property that met our needs at the old shopping center that had been shut down for a number of years.”
In 2004, the Pocomoke City Volunteer Company purchased the former A&P and Drug Fair shopping center in the 1400 block of Market Street in order to expand its operations. The grocery store portion of the property was demolished, but the remainder was suitable for a planned community center.
Construction began in February 2007, and the fire company took possession of the facility 13 months later. The community center was completed two years later.
“It’s a banquet and event venue that can host meetings, retirements and weddings,” Barbierri said.
According to a press release, the center hosts 150 events per year.
The department ran a capital campaign that generated $625,000 towards paying off purchase, demolition and teardown costs, with a mortgage of $2.8 million covering the rest.
“In a small town like ours, that is a considerable chunk of change,” Barbierri said.
In addition, ongoing fundraising efforts such as the fire company’s annual chicken barbecue on July 4th weekend and the chicken and dumpling community dinner each November along with catering events have all played a huge part in paying down the mortgage.
Eight years later, the department owns the building free and clear.
“We owe much to our donors and supporters who made this beautiful fire station and Community Center possible,” Stan Finch, fire company president, said in a release. “The open house and mortgage burning ceremony is our way to say thank you and to celebrate this achievement together.”
The 10 a.m. event is being held in conjunction with the annual Fire Prevention Week and will include tours of the facility, finger foods and other refreshments.
The theme of this year’s prevention week is smoke detectors, which the National Fire Protection Association recommends replacing every decade (the date of manufacture is stamped on the device).
“We’ll also have a moon bounce and a fire prevention trailer, which reinforces the message of “stay low and go,” Jerry Barbierri, chairman of the board of directors of the company, said.
But the star of the show, Barbierri said, is the building itself.
“We had previous buildings owned by the city, but we outgrew them,” he said.
The next most recent headquarters, on Fifth Street, is still owned by the town and remains vacant. The City Council is still determining a proper course of action on the disused facility.
“Around the turn of the century,” Barbierri said, “we began looking for a new location — something more central. We found a property that met our needs at the old shopping center that had been shut down for a number of years.”
In 2004, the Pocomoke City Volunteer Company purchased the former A&P and Drug Fair shopping center in the 1400 block of Market Street in order to expand its operations. The grocery store portion of the property was demolished, but the remainder was suitable for a planned community center.
Construction began in February 2007, and the fire company took possession of the facility 13 months later. The community center was completed two years later.
“It’s a banquet and event venue that can host meetings, retirements and weddings,” Barbierri said.
According to a press release, the center hosts 150 events per year.
The department ran a capital campaign that generated $625,000 towards paying off purchase, demolition and teardown costs, with a mortgage of $2.8 million covering the rest.
“In a small town like ours, that is a considerable chunk of change,” Barbierri said.
In addition, ongoing fundraising efforts such as the fire company’s annual chicken barbecue on July 4th weekend and the chicken and dumpling community dinner each November along with catering events have all played a huge part in paying down the mortgage.
Eight years later, the department owns the building free and clear.
“We owe much to our donors and supporters who made this beautiful fire station and Community Center possible,” Stan Finch, fire company president, said in a release. “The open house and mortgage burning ceremony is our way to say thank you and to celebrate this achievement together.”