A proposal asking residents whether the city should borrow about $6 million to expand and renovate Hartford Station, the Fire Department's 96-year-old headquarters, goes before city councilors for discussion Thursday.
Later in the same meeting, councilors are scheduled to consider approving a total of $2 million in other capital improvement projects, $750,000 of which councilors can approve themselves, and the remaining $1.3 million of which also must go to residents for a referendum vote in November.
If councilors act on a recommendation from the city staff, a bond of about $6 million to pay for the renovation and expansion of Hartford Station, the city’s oldest fire station, also could go to voters in the Nov. 8 general election.
Councilors are scheduled to discuss but not vote on the proposal to seek voter approval to bond about $6 million to renovate and expand Hartford at a meeting that begins at 6 p.m. Thursday in the council chamber at Augusta City Center.
The major project would seek to address multiple problems with the current fire station, including garage bays so narrow newer firetrucks won’t fit into them; a structurally deficient floor that can’t support the weight of firetrucks; a lack of space for training, decontaminating equipment and clothing, and access to people with disabilities; and a need to update to current standards and meet the needs of firefighters whose role has changed dramatically since the station was built in 1920.