Brandon Twp.- Officials are considering the possibility of two skating rinks at the Brandon Recreation Park located at Oakwood and Hadley roads, a concept that could save residents money.
The plan needs township board approval, but residents could see savings in their insurance rates if the board agrees to the rinks and a tank that would hold 20,000 gallons of water, of which the fire department would be able to access from a hydrant on Hadley Road.
‘It will add to our capabilities of meeting ISO requirements for lower insurance ratings,? said Fire Chief Bob McArthur. ‘The ISO bases 40 percent of their formula on our access to water.?
The ISO, International Organization for Standardization, provides set standards for fire protection. The ISO scale for fire protection ranges from 10 to one, with the lower the number, the greater the fire protection. The Brandon Fire Department currently has a rating of 9/5. The 9 rating is for water supply, while the 5 rating is for personnel and equipment.
‘We carry enough water to protect township homes and the ISO doesn’t recognize water carried on trucks to the level they give credit to hydrants in the city,? said McArthur. ‘It’s very unfair.?
McArthur’s goal is to get the township a 5 ISO rating for water supply. The township has never had a full testing by the ISO because of a lack of water. If the board approves the rinks concept, however, there will be 15 sites throughout the township that the fire department can access for water, including lakes, ponds, and holding tanks. Most of these sites were paid for by developers, although the fire department has 30,000 gallons of water buried in an irrigation system at Station #3 on Oakwood Road.
McArthur is prepared for a full ISO testing by next spring.
He encourages residents to check with their insurance agents to see if they accept the township’s ISO rating as a five or a nine. Some local agents already accept the lower number. If they do not and the township approves the new park concept, the savings from the lower ISO rating could be as much as $150-$200 annually per resident. However, he said all residents will see some savings.
Brandon Parks and Recreation Director Fred Waybrant is currently receiving quotes from the excavator and whether the plan goes forward is subject to cost estimates.