Tolland Fire Station Renovation Project Ready For Public Hearing

TOLLAND, CT — A multi-million-dollar project to renovate an aging Tolland fire station also affected by the crumbling foundation crisis will be officially showcased at a public hearing slated for next week.

The hearing will be staged via a video conference on March 23 at 7 p.m.

The repairs have been proposed for Station 140, located on Crystal Lake Road and built in 1994.

The town is considering bonding in an amount not exceeding $5 million to pay for the project.

Here is the text of the ordinance:

"Consideration and action concerning resolution to: (a) appropriate $5,000,000 for the firehouse improvement project; (b) authorize the Town to issue and sell its notes and bonds pursuant to the Connecticut General Statutes, or any other provision of law thereto enabling, in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000, or so much as may be necessary after deducting grants therefor; (c) authorize the submission of the project resolution to the voters at referendum; and (d) authorize such other actions relating to the foregoing as may be necessary or appropriate."

The firehouse project is included in the town's 5-year capital improvement plan. A referendum on the bonding issue will take place in in May to be included as part of the capital plan for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, officials said.

The plans call for fixing the foundation, bringing rest rooms and the kitchen up to federal Americans With Disabilities Act requirements, upgrading electrical and drain systems, extending service bays, and adding "additional building space."

Fire Stations 340 and 440 are better suited to be demolished and replaced with pre-engineered metal buildings, fire officials said.

The placeholder number of $3 million in the town's capital budget plan for the past few years was "too low to appropriately address the actual needs of this project," officials said.

Click here for an overview of the project and its cost, a look into the history of fire department facilities, and a timeline from now until Referendum.

Click here for Pictures of the Firehouse Renderings.

Here is a video on the renovations: