Posted Wed, Dec 15, 2021 at 1:01 am ET
While not officially approved, officials said most bonding requests that appear on the State Bonding Commission's Agenda are approved. (Shutterstock)
HAMDEN, CT — A $4.3 million state bonding request for the construction of a new Station 2 Firehouse on Putnam Avenue in Hamden has been placed on the state's bonding commission's agenda by Gov. Ned Lamont, State Representative Mike D'Agostino announced Tuesday.
D'Agostino, D-91, has been pursuing the request with the help of the Hamden Fire Department Hamden Professional Firefighters Local 2687 and the rest of the Hamden delegation, according to a news release.
"Fire Station 2 is in a 100-year-old building that currently violates OSHA standards for safety and accessibility," D'Agostino said in a statement. "The Hamden Fire Station 2 firefighters have selflessly protected our community from there but they, and the community, need a new building. I am excited that this will no longer be the story for Hamden's busiest fire station, serving a population of traditionally underserved residents."
The current firehouse has experienced a 17 percent increase in call volume over the past five years and continues to be the busiest firehouse in Hamden, the news release states. The $4.3 million in funding will pay for numerous upgrades in a pre-fabricated firehouse already acquired by the Town of Hamden, that will enable the town to meet that need, according to officials.
"Hamden Fire Station 2 is the busiest Hamden Fire Station in the Hamden community," Hamden Fire Chief Gary P. Merwede said. "While the current station has served the department and the neighborhood well for many, many years, the needs of the department have outgrown the capabilities of the aging building. The prospect of funding assistance from the State of Connecticut for this long-awaited project is very exciting. The financial challenge of supporting critical safety infrastructure and maintaining all the other town obligations on a local level has put this project on hold for a long time.
"I am grateful for the support of the Town Administration and the hard work of the entire Hamden Delegation to Hartford, including the critical work of Representative D'Agostino, for moving this important community asset to the bonding agenda."
While not officially approved, officials said most bonding requests that appear on the Commission's Agenda are approved. Their upcoming meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 21.
"I want to thank our hard-working state delegation for getting this important funding onto the bonding agenda," Hamden Mayor Lauren Garrett said. "Hamden Fire Station 2 receives the most calls, and serves Southern Hamden, which has the most need. Healthy firefighters are better able to serve their community, and it is imperative that we provide them with a safe work environment."
CLICK HERE to view the original Hamden Patch online article.
