Altadena : Tough Budget Choice Ahead

With its police services largely restored, Altadena faces the choice of increasing property taxes or the probable closing of one of its three fire stations, the Town Council learned Tuesday.

Fire Department Capt. Lester A. Fuzell told the council that Fire Station No. 12, at 2760 N. Lincoln Ave., may be closed as the County Board of Supervisors looks for cuts to make up a $500-million shortfall. The alternative, he said, is an increase in the Fire Protection District’s assessment for 1992-93, which would mean a property tax increase of $22.56 to $36.55 annually per homeowner.

If the supervisors do not approve the increase, he said, Altadena’s central and east end fire stations will remain open but the west end station will probably be closed. Fuzell said the closure would result in one fewer firetruck and four fewer firefighters for the unincorporated area, and would reduce response time by three to four minutes on the west end. He was unable to explain why that area was chosen for the cutback.

In budget cutting measures this summer, two sheriff’s deputies at the Altadena substation were reassigned. After residents protested, one position was restored full time and the other part time.