$1 Million On Track To Offset Tolland Fire Facilities Costs

HARTFORD — Tolland's state legislative contingent Tuesday was hailing the approval of $1 million at the Capitol to help offset the costs to renovate the town's aging, damaged and outdated Fire Department facilities.

State Reps Tammy Nuccio and Tim Ackert and state Sen. Daniel Champagne said a key factor in securing the funding is the crumbling concrete foundation at Station 140.

The State Bond Commission must ultimately approve the funding. The Commission is scheduled to reconvene on June 25.

"The deteriorating condition of the firehouse has made it difficult for the Tolland Fire Department to recruit and retain new volunteers, and I worked hard alongside my colleagues on the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee to make sure the needs of our local first responders were reflected in the final bonding recommendations to the whole chamber," Nuccio said. "This new financing will allow the town to remediate the building's crumbling foundation, as well as extend the service bays, upgrade the electrical and drain systems and bring other facilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. I hope that the Governor's Bond Commission recognizes the importance of this project to the Tolland Fire Department — which is often first on scene at fires in neighboring towns — and gives this project their final blessing."

Tolland Town Manager Michael Rosen said he applied for the funds in February. The premise was to use state funds to address the foundation that is part of the region-wide crumbling concrete issue that was traced to a bad batch harvested from a Stafford quarry some three to four decades ago.

The foundation cost is estimated at $400,000, Rosen said. The remaining funds would be used to address Americans With Disabilities Act issues at the facilities.

Voters in Tolland already approved local bonding not to exceed $5 million for the project. If the $1 million is approved at the state level, just $ million would be borrowed locally, Rosen said.

Ackert said it's not just about Tolland, but a department that helps on a regional level.

"I'm pleased that my colleagues in the General Assembly are supportive of this considerable investment in Tolland's emergency infrastructure. This fire department also assists fire prevention efforts in neighboring communities, making this an even more valuable investment in North-Central Tolland County," Ackert said. "Subject to the decision of the Bonding Commission, these new funds will allow Tolland to remediate and upgrade these facilities at a lower total cost to local taxpayers."

Champagne knows the foundation situation all too well because he is also the Mayor of neighboring Vernon.

"I'm pleased that Tolland Fire was included as part of a very large bond bill. These funds can be used to address many critical needs for Tolland Fire, literally beginning at the base level to remediate its crumbling foundation," he said. "Also, the money will be well spent in addressing other infrastructure needs of their building. It’s important to have a facility that is up to current standards so that our first responders can operate at a peak level to keep us safe. I look forward to the approval of the Governor’s Bond Commission to allocate these funds for the good of Tolland and our neighboring towns served by Tolland Fire."