Town Ignores The Need For A

New Firehouse

To the Editor:

When is enough, enough? The Newtown Hook & Ladder Volunteer Fire Company (NH&L) has operated out of a dilapidated, unsafe, failing building for years. Although it is town owned, what has the town done about it? Virtually nothing. For those who do not know, the NH&L’s firehouse sits at 45 Main Street behind Edmond Town Hall. It has had structural issues for many years. For example, the southwest corner of the building is actually separating and failing, the roof leaks badly, and the floor holding $2 million of equipment is failing.

Meanwhile the completely volunteer fire company responds about 500 times per year to Newtown citizens and visitors needing assistance. Once or twice a day, NH&L volunteers leave their work, family, or whatever they were doing in their personal time to respond. We respond to all fires, motor vehicle accidents with injuries, any rescue situation, hazardous materials incidents, medical emergencies when a patient is possibly unconscious or when the ambulance needs assistance, water removals, power lines down, and pretty much any other incident where we can render help.

Now looking at all these services the fire company provides, at an extremely low cost to the town and its taxpayers, you would think the town government would try and help out; but no, nothing has been done. At a special meeting in July, the Board of Fire Commissioners approved $1.5 million to be placed in the town’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for renovations/repairs of the existing building, a step in the right direction. This request was rejected by the Board of Selectmen at their September meeting and no money has been placed in the CIP.

The fire company’s building committee approached the Zoning Board of Appeals to grant a variance for the setback distance on a piece of property on Route 302 and what was the result? Outcry from property owners (or their attorneys), stating they do not want a firehouse in their backyard. Ironically, one of the most outspoken has called NH&L for assistance four times in the last two years, once for a structure fire. As usual, NH&L responded, assisted the owner and asked for nothing in return. Despite the lack of support, these dedicated volunteers will continue serving their community first and foremost.

The question still remains: what will happen to the firehouse? This building has been a political hot potato that no one wants to touch. As the Chief of the NH&L, I am calling on the Board of Selectmen to step up and do the right thing. They have a town-owned building that is failing; it houses millions of dollars of equipment, not to mention the lives of the firefighters who spend countless hours attending calls, training and meetings inside this building. Do something about it! There are options out there, find the money, show the men and women who tirelessly serve this community some respect and build them a firehouse they can safely operate from.

Jason Rivera

16 Narragansett Trail, Sandy Hook                 September 19, 2009