As of Tuesday, about 370 residents had responded to a survey asking them to choose a preferred site for a new fire station.
The survey, which is on the town’s website, provides information on the potential cost and plans for two potential fire station sites, the old middle school on Pauline Street and the town basketball courts on Walden Street.
“Right now, it is leaning about 58-42 (percent) with Pauline Street being in the lead at this point,” said Town Manager Tony Marino.
The survey will be open for about another three or four weeks, with Marino stating that he would like to see about 1,000 responses.
“For anyone who has not filled it out, the link is all over the place, our website, social media, there is a QR code on there,” said Marino. “If you need help, go to the library or the senior center, if you’re not tech savvy, they will be able to help.”
A debt exclusion vote to fund a new fire station at the Wadsworth Building was unsuccessful last November. Council President Jim Letterie has stated that a special election on a debt exclusion for a new preferred site could happen next spring.
While not taking a formal vote at Tuesday night’s council meeting, several councilors stated that they are leaning toward favoring the Walden Street site, with the caveat that they want to see what the final results are from the public survey.
“I personally feel Walden Street would be advantageous because it leaves Pauline Street open for more development and for more opportunities that are revenue generating,” said Precinct 2 Councilor John Munson. “It also facilitates and fixes a few things on that corner, including the pick up/drop off. I think it is a win/win, plus the basketball (courts) will be moved to an upgraded location.”
Councilor-at-Large Max Tassinari said he is also in favor of the Walden Street location.
“I’m in favor of the price tag being lower than on Pauline Street, leaving Pauline Street up for economic opportunity,” he said. “Every dollar we can not bond out or override at this point in time is going to allow us to do something for the rest of the town that is inundated with water.”
Council Vice President Hannah Belcher said she is looking forward to seeing the results of the survey.
“We need a fire station so badly that I, at this point, after working on the last firehouse committee, want it wherever people will want it,” she said. “I’m leaning towards Walden Street as my personal opinion, but I’m fully ready to support whatever the people are ready to support.”
Councilor-at-Large Rob DeMarco said he is also in favor of the Walden Street site, but wants to let the voters decide.
Precinct 5 Councilor Joseph Aiello also said he puts his support behind the Walden Street site.
“I think the economic opportunity at the middle school, plus the great uncertainty about what’s in those buildings and what we will get into once we start demolishing some of those buildings can really drive the price tag,” said Aiello.
Letterie said he is also in favor of the Walden Street site, noting that the project would also include some stormwater mitigation steps.
“Part of the project would entail putting in an underground storage unit for excess water on Walden Street,” he said. “That would take most of the water coming down the hill from the (Arthur T. Cummings School). That would help alleviate, it wouldn’t control it, but it would help alleviate a lot of the flooding that happens in the parking lot.”
In addition to listening to the residents who complete the survey, Letterie said the town also has to listen to the fire department staff for their opinions about the sites.
“I think we all want something for various reasons, but I want to make sure that the people who are using it can understand and tell me why that is a better location,” said Letterie.