Kevin Arnold
The Day, New London, Conn.
(TNS)
Feb. 8—WATERFORD — The Representative Town Meeting took the first step Monday night in addressing the deteriorated Oswegatchie fire station.
After more than an hour of discussion, the RTM unanimously approved to create a building committee to oversee the design and construction of a new fire station, in accordance with the town charter. The building committee will include two members of the RTM, one member of the Board of Selectmen, one member of the Board of Finance, two elected citizens and three elected fire services personnel.
The recommendation came from the Ad Hoc Fire Services Review Special Committee, which was created in July 2021 to “review issues including performance, policy and staffing and present their findings/recommendations of any changes needed to enhance public safety,” according to the committee’s report.
The Ad Hoc committee voted to recommend the formation of a building committee at its Jan. 17 meeting due to the “extensively deterioration of the current building,” and forwarded its recommendation to the RTM for approval.
“Rarely does this body agree on anything, but I think this is one of the few times I can say there’s no one sitting around this table that doesn’t think there needs to be a new fire house in Oswegatchie,” Fourth-District Representative Susan Driscoll said, after hearing opening remarks from Robert Tuneski, chair of the Ad Hoc committee.
The RTM disbanded the previous Oswegatchie Firehouse Building Committee in 2019. The building, owned by the fire company, has seen multiple repairs, including new beams and walls to hold up the ceiling and roof when they were in danger of collapsing in 2010.
It has not gotten better.
Resident Wayne Gilpin, a resident of nearly 45 years and a member of the fire services for nearly 44 years, addressed representatives during public comment. He explained the conditions of the building, including “temporary” supports, water stains and mold on the ceilings. He said there’s a refrigerator in the common room instead of the kitchen because of a support beam blocking the way, and there’s a beam blocking the sink in the women’s bathroom as well. He added there’s no lock on the front door.
Gilpin said these conditions have only gotten worse over the last 14 years and explained that the location at 441 Boston Post Road is in good proximity to Oswegatchie School, Oswegatchie Point and Millstone Point neighborhoods, and multiple access points to Interstate 95.
“Would I apply to be a volunteer firefighter in this town? Would I let my child?” Gilpin said, in reference to the building. “Not a chance.”
Director of Fire Services Michael Howley later substantiated Gilpin’s claims and added that tarps are repeatedly put on the roof to stop leaks, the boiler system is failing and parts of the building are condemned. He said the station is manned seven days a week in these poor conditions.
He added that at one point, when the town contractor was called to repair the roof, that the repairmen were afraid to get on the roof. So, Howley brought in the ladder truck for them to use.
“This town should be embarrassed,” Howley said of the state of the building and lack of action. “I hate to be so blunt.”
“It is atrocious,” he added.
In 2017, the town approved spending almost $200,000 for design work on a new facility that would be owned by the town and leased to the fire company. But, at the time, several officials said too many unknowns remain about overall needs and staffing concerns across the town’s five volunteer fire companies. The Ad Hoc committee wa