New EMS Station 1 project moving forward

MURPHY, NC – The construction of a new EMS Station 1 in Murphy took another step forward Monday night, Sept. 16, at the county commission meeting.

The board hired McGill Associates in the amount of $68,300 for professional engineering services. McGill will handle the conceptual design, surveying, architectural design, engineering design, permitting, and the utility extensions.

The motion passed by a 3-2 vote, with District 2’s C.B. McKinnon and District 4’s Dr. Dan Eichenbaum continuing to vote against the project.

In the board’s last monthly meeting, Aug. 19, the board voted build the new station on Jackson Street at the intersection with Peachtree Street using funds remaining from the lantern restoration budget. The piece of land is 0.8 acres and is owned by the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

That measure was also passed by a 3-2 vote, with McKinnon and Eichenbaum voting against.

The building that McGill will provide services for will be 50-foot by 90-foot on the main level, with a 50-foot by 30-foot lower level “like a daylight basement,” County Manager Randy Wiggins told the board Monday.

The lower level will be located beneath the living quarters on the main level, not beneath the concrete slab where the emergency vehicles will park.

The commission board also voted Monday to renew the county’s agreement with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to continue to provide county EMS services.

“None of the terms have changed,” Wiggins said. “They are still very happy and satisfied with the existing terms.”

Chairman Westmoreland said the agreement seemed to be working out well.

“From my understanding, talking to the EMS guys, it’s working out pretty good,” the chairman said.

The motion passed unanimously.

The next Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meeting is set for Monday, Oct. 7, at 6:30 p.m., in Multi-Purpose Room 342 of the county courthouse in Murphy.