Hillary T Chesson

hchesson@dmg.gannett.com

The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company has received a hefty estimate from Verizon for moving the current underground telephone cables to the other side of Deep Hole Road, where the company is slated to build a new fire station. The estimate has sparked outrage from the small island community and the fire company, itself.

The estimate the company received from Verizon amounted to around $73,000, according to Denise Bowden, CVFC public relations spokesperson.

“About $38,000 is materials and $33,000 or $34,000 is labor,” said Bowden.

The fire company received the quote from Verizon Virginia, Inc. several months ago and were incredulous, said Bowden. She wrote what she called a “stern” letter to the company dated Dec. 9 questioning and disputing the estimate but has received no response, yet.

“You know, with us being a 501(c)3 non-profit I think these big corporations need to take some things into consideration. They have a monopoly on these types of things.”

However, the move is not a simple matter, according to Verizon.

“The Chincoteague fire department asked Verizon to relocate telephone network equipment from where they intend to build a new fire station," said Michael Murphy, public relations manager for Verizon.

“What’s been missing from the story about the cost to complete the work is this: we’re not talking about moving a phone line or two. This is about relocating some 1,100 feet of 1200-pair copper cable along with fiber optic lines serving a large portion of Chincoteague Island. To meet the fire department’s specifications, we proposed burying those cables - an expensive process - but there are other ways to accomplish this. We’ll consider any design changes they are willing to make to reduce costs or lessen the impact to the island’s telecom equipment.”

Bowden said that in order to pay Verizon the sum the fire company, whose primary fundraisers include the annual volunteer fireman's carnival and pony auction, will have to put other expenses on hold and take a significant hit to their budget.

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“Something else is going to have to take a backseat,” she said. “Whether it’s securing turnout for first responders or having to wait to buy a hose or wait to get a new ambulance. If we end up having to do it something is going to have to wait.”

The estimate isn’t going to stop the company from starting construction of the building, however, but the work will have to be done eventually, said Bowden.

The company purchased the land at 5175 Chicken City Road in fall 2011 when it became clear that it was outgrowing the current 3,260-square-foot station at 4028 Main Street.

The Main Street station is currently on the market with SVN | Miller Commercial Real Estate of Salisbury for an asking price of $1,260,000.

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The new 20,663 square foot station will include a commercial kitchen, dining area, community space, bunk rooms, administrative offices, Fire and EMS storage space and training and conference rooms.

The groundbreaking has been delayed due to excessive rain, although all permits have been secured, said Bowden.

“Permits, permits and more permits have caused the delay for the most part but here is the real kicker,” said a Jan. 3 Facebook status from the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire company. “Verizon wants to charge the fire company $73,000 to move the lines from one side of the street to the other.”

“Where does Verizon come up with these figures to charge a 5013c non profit organization that much money to literally move lines less than 75 yards? Please share this with everyone so they can see how Verizon is raping the consumer. This is awful!!” said the Facebook status.