Joint Committee Doesn't Support Firehouse

On Aug. 26, a majority vote at a special joint meeting of two Representative Town Meeting (RTM) committees disapproved of plans to bond $12.5 million to build a new firehouse. On Sept. 15, the full RTM will consider, and if appropriate, act on the resolution from the Board of Finance and Fire Commissioners recommending bonding the $12.5 million project. The bonding needs majority approval from the full RTM to go forward.

From 8 p.m. to midnight, the RTM Ways and Means Committee and Public Services Committee convened in a special session to consider acting on a resolution from the Board of Fire Commissioners to appropriate $12.5 million for a new fire headquarters, authorizing the issue of $12.5 million in bonds.

In July, the Board of Finance (BOF) backed the bonding by unanimous vote.

The Plan

Branford Finance Director James Finch told the joint committees Branford could sustain the new firehouse bonding. He noted Branford had just sold more than $12.7 million in general obligation bonds at a record-low 2.26- percent rate on the 15-year bonds. Branford's municipal credit is rated Aa1 by Moody's and AAA by Standard & Poors. Finch assured the joint committees "there's a plan" when it comes to managing Branford's debt load.

As an example, Finch described Branford's $60 million bonding debt in 2003 (currently at approximately $41 million). With the new firehouse (and other bonding) the town's debt in 2015 would be at $59 million, said Finch.

"Finance things when we need them. Over time, our rates will average out," said Finch.

Committee members heard from David Stein of architectural firm Silver/Petrucelli & Associates, Inc., and Todd Moss of Turner Construction Management. Over the past year, both firms have been hired for the project as plans progressed toward building a new firehouse.

Stein described many of the new, 34,000-square-foot building's energy saving efficiencies, including a geothermal heating system that pays for itself within five to seven years. (See design plans, and related story to the right)

Stein told the joint committees plans were now "95 percent completed. We're at the stage where we're ready to go to bid immediately."

Moss added that, after a September-October bidding window, demolition, debris removal, and abatement could begin Nov. 1. He said "real construction" would take place between March 2011 and March 2012.

"The move-in date would be the middle of March 2012," said Moss.

The firehouse would be constructed on the site of the current firehouse (45 North Main Street, built in 1963) and neighboring Public Works facility site. Public Works Director Edward Masotta detailed plans to move his department to a temporary facility on North Branford Road. A three-year lease and costs to fit out the rented facility would be approximately $600,000.

About a year ago, the RTM looked into the possibility of a joint project to design/build the new firehouse and create a new Public Works facility on Tabor Drive. It decided not to fund design plans for Public Works, in part due a chance that a portion of the project would not receive government funding. In the meantime, firehouse plans went forward.

At the Aug. 26 meeting, some committee members asked why Branford couldn't now go forward with constructing a new Public Works facility in tandem with new firehouse construction. First Selectman Anthony "Unk" DaRos said last year's RTM decision squelched planning for a new Public Works building.

"You left no options. If you had designed Public Works, we could have been working on Public Works," said DaRos.

The Debate

Representative Riccio was among those voicing the night's majority opposition concerns, stating he wasn't against the firehouse, but had "definite concerns with the cost associated with building a firehouse of this size." He added he was "really disappointed" that the BOF had not asked many of the questions being raised that night.

Fire Chief Jack Ahern said he disagreed with Riccio's representation of the night's request as a "rush to judgment."

"People have been pushing this since 1989. We have spent countless tax dollars and have nothing to show for it," said Ahern, adding the need for a new facility is an "issue of public safety."

Had the resolution been approved, it would have been a vote of confidence for the measure when the full RTM considers the matter on Sept. 15. Instead, it "will not be referred out of committee," said Ways and Means Chair Sandra Reiners (D).

Reiners was one of four joint committee members voting to support the resolution Aug. 26, together with RTM Public Services Committee Chair Douglas Hanlon (D), RTM Public Services Committee member David Baker (D), and RTM Ways and Means Committee member Paul Muniz (D).

Voting against were Public Services Committee members Dennis Flannigan(R), Frank Twohill, Jr. (R), Lisa Avitable (D), Marc Riccio(R), Kevin O'Donnell (D) and Ways and Means Committee members Peter Black (R) and Michael Nardella(R). Ways and Means member Joseph Selvaggio was not present.