For Future Use—

Volunteer Ambulance Group Acquires Abutting Property

By Andrew Gorosko

The Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association, Inc, has purchased real estate abutting its 77 Main Street site, greatly expanding the contiguous acreage which the group holds.

In a $250,000 transaction that occurred April 6, the association purchased a house and land at the abutting 79 Main Street from the estate of Sheila Roberto, said Tricia Johnson, the ambulance association president.

The 1.1-acre purchase, when added to the association’s 1.49-acre site, brings the group’s holdings to 2.59 acres in the densely built town center.

The 79 Main Street site holds a 1,435-square-foot, two-story Colonial-style house, according to town assessment records. The 77 Main Street property holds the association’s 3,306-square-foot three-bay ambulance garage, which also contains a meeting space.

Ms Johnson said this week that it remains unclear how the association would eventually use the property that it has acquired at 79 Main Street.

“It was an opportunity that presented itself to have co-located properties,” she said.

The association is considering some expansion of its facilities in the future, but has no definite plans in mind, she said. The acquisition of 79 Main Street would provide the group with the potential for some type of expansion, she said.

Noting that the ambulance group is a nonprofit organization, Ms Johnson termed the $250,000 property acquisition “a huge purchase.” The group took out a loan toward the purchase, she said.

The town government contributes funds to the group toward its paramedic services and toward the purchase of replacement ambulances. The organization accepts private donations.

The Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps has a pool of more than 60 members who respond to more than 2,000 ambulance calls per year.

Ms Johnson said it is unclear when the ambulance association might put the acquired property to some new use.

“We always knew we would have to do something from an expansion perspective…From an ambulance perspective… it gives us more flexibility,” she said.

Ms Johnson said that the ambulance group has some study committees working to formulate the best potential short-term use for 79 Main Street. Those study panels are expected to report back within the next three months, she said. “We’re brainstorming,” she added.

Establishing a long-term use for the property would come somewhat later, she said. “There’s a lot more variables that influence the long-term…I’m cautious not to project the future,” she said.

“It’s an opportunity to support future needs of the ambulance association and corps,” she said.

To deal with a space shortage at its 77 Main Street building, the ambulance group for the past few years has used meeting space at 31 Peck’s Lane for medical training for both its volunteer corps members and for the general public. Ms Johnson termed 31 Peck’s Lane “a wonderful facility.”

Ms Johnson added that the ambulance group is always seeking new volunteer members.