John Coffelt, Editor

The Coffee County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a five foot variance during the June 20 meeting that will allow the North Coffee Volunteer Fire Department to build a proposed 33×45 ft. addition that will include sleeping quarters.

Local Surveyor Kenny Sadler, working pro bono, presented the request for variance to the BZA.

He noted that the small lot near North Coffee Elementary School sits too close to the road to build out any further towards the road.

“The setback now runs through the building,” Sadler said. “We know we can’t come any farther than  the existing building is now. We’re asking for permission to add on to the side of the building. As it comes out, it would bump into that back setback about four-and-a-half feet.”

Plans for the new addition include a meeting room, living quarters and space for storage.    

North Coffee Chief Greg Wright said manning the station 24-hours a day will help cut down on response time and help improve the station’s ISO rating, which in turn will save those who live in the area NCVFD serves money on home insurance.

“That building is so small and outdated,” Wright said. “The volunteers would be there. There would be a signup sheet.”

“It helps with the ISO with points if you man the station so many days a week,” he said. “We try to man it around the clock as much as possible, but right now it has nothing – no kitchen and no place for firefighters to come in and shower after a fire and are bringing contaminates into their home.”

Volunteer fire departments are nonprofit organizations ran by trustees. When the fire department has to borrow money, when donations and the minimal county contribution aren’t enough, those trustees take out those loans themselves.

“We would have to take out a loan to build on,” Wright said. “Firefighters, the trustees, they would be on the note and be responsible for it. It’s hard to ask people to volunteer their time and also guarantee a loan.”

Donations can be dropped off or mailed to the fire hall at 35 Old Murfreesboro Highway.      

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.