After decades of planning, Newtown Hook & Ladder volunteer firefighters at long last are working out of a new firehouse, located at 12 Church Hill Road.

For more than 30 years, members of the volunteer fire company had sought new quarters, but for one reason or another, multiple proposals for new fire facilities fell through, resulting in the volunteers remaining in the dilapidated town-owned firehouse at the rear of 45 Main Street, near Edmond Town Hall. That structure, which almost 20 years ago was deemed structurally unsound, was built in 1929.

Midday on Friday, September 2, Hook & Ladder firefighters formally left that decaying structure and traveled about two-fifths of a mile on foot and in their fire trucks down Main Street to the flagpole intersection, where they turned onto Church Hill Road and entered their 3.16-acre property for dedication ceremonies at the new Colonial-style building.

Besides the firefighters present, more than 100 people attended the long-awaited event.

Hook & Ladder Fire Chief Ray Corbo said he is most proud of the fire company's firefighters for having persevered for more than 30 years in seeking new quarters. The fire company can better serve the public by having modern facilities, he said. Chief Corbo thanked the local government for its support in building the facility, and said he cannot think of a better location for a central firehouse than 12 Church Hill Road.

The fire company purchased the land for the firehouse from Trinity Episcopal Church for $500,000. Construction costs on the project are estimated at $2.5 million. The town is providing the fire company with a $1.5 million subsidy for the project. The fire company will own the firehouse.

Past Hook & Ladder Fire Chief Lee Glover said, "This is one of the happiest days of my life," of the fire company finally occupying suitable facilities.

First Selectman Pat Llodra spoke of a childhood experience in South Hadley, Mass., when her house caught fire and volunteer firefighters responded to extinguish the blaze. She told fire company members that the new firehouse will serve them well for decades, and thanked them for their persistence in pursuing new facilities.

Kevin Cragin, a civilian member of the Board of Fire Commissioners who has served on that panel for more than 35 years, said that commission members had discussed the need for new Hook & Ladder facilities for all of those years.

Mr Cragin said that of all the first selectmen who served during those years, Mrs Llodra is the first selectman who has been the most supportive of constructing a new Hook & Ladder firehouse.

Rob Manna, who heads the fire company's building committee, provided awards to several people who aided Hook & Ladder with the firehouse project.

Monsignor Robert Weiss, pastor of St Rose of Lima Church, provided A blessing for the firehouse.

Aided by Chief Corbo and Hook & Ladder President Rick Camejo, Mrs Llodra cut a ceremonial ribbon at the front door of the firehouse, officially opening the facility for fire company use. Parallel with the ribbon cutting, Chief Corbo symbolically decoupled two sections of fire hose.

Not long after the ceremonies, Hook & Ladder received its first fire call while stationed in the new building. A person had reported seeing smoke in the area near Reservoir Road, a side street off Mt Pleasant Road. The volunteers responded to investigate, but the report proved unfounded.