To increase safety margins, Old Saybrook Ambulance Association President Dr. David Sliva told the Board of Selectmen the non-profit needs to add an ambulance bay to the group's existing building at 316 Main Street behind the firehouse."The proposed addition to the building will allow us to have three ambulances. In the past, mechanical problems have sometimes left us with just one ambulance," said Sliva.

"The proposed addition to the building will allow us to have three ambulances. In the past, mechanical problems have sometimes left us with just one ambulance," said Sliva.The addition would also add a second floor over the ambulance bays with a bunkroom where volunteer drivers could rest and sleep.

The addition would also add a second floor over the ambulance bays with a bunkroom where volunteer drivers could rest and sleep. "We have no place for them to stay now," said Sliva.

"We have no place for them to stay now," said Sliva.Sliva said the association's Board of Directors began discussing concepts for a building expansion about five years ago, but it was not until this year that it contracted with Greg Nucci of Point One Architects to draw up the architectural plans (see sketch at to right).

Sliva said the association's Board of Directors began discussing concepts for a building expansion about five years ago, but it was not until this year that it contracted with Greg Nucci of Point One Architects to draw up the architectural plans (see sketch at to right). The project will also convert the building from the current electric heat to heating from a gas or oil-fired furnace. The monthly electric heating costs currently run about $1,400 to $1,600 per month, according to Sliva.

The project will also convert the building from the current electric heat to heating from a gas or oil-fired furnace. The monthly electric heating costs currently run about $1,400 to $1,600 per month, according to Sliva.The town is already planning to run a new, natural gas service line from Main Street to the rear of the firehouse for a new gas-fired furnace that will be installed this spring. Donn Dobson, the town's fire marshal, said that the ambulance association should be able to work with the town to also get a natural gas line for the new building's furnace.

The town is already planning to run a new, natural gas service line from Main Street to the rear of the firehouse for a new gas-fired furnace that will be installed this spring. Donn Dobson, the town's fire marshal, said that the ambulance association should be able to work with the town to also get a natural gas line for the new building's furnace.Attorney David Royston then explained to the town's Board of Selectmen that the town and association would need to amend the original land lease-now 30 years old-giving the non-profit tenant rights. The original lease described the area subject to the lease as "the perimeter of the building and parking." This description, if left untouched, would not allow the ambulance association to build an addition.

Attorney David Royston then explained to the town's Board of Selectmen that the town and association would need to amend the original land lease-now 30 years old-giving the non-profit tenant rights. The original lease described the area subject to the lease as "the perimeter of the building and parking." This description, if left untouched, would not allow the ambulance association to build an addition.Royston said the association has already begun the regulatory process to secure approvals for the new addition by filing applications with the Inland Wetlands Commission and with the Zoning Board of Appeals. A variance is needed for relief from a requirement that the addition be built two feet above the FEMA requirement as a "critical town facility." While the addition's height would be above the FEMA standard, it would be below the town's flood ordinance rule for this type of facility.

Royston said the association has already begun the regulatory process to secure approvals for the new addition by filing applications with the Inland Wetlands Commission and with the Zoning Board of Appeals. A variance is needed for relief from a requirement that the addition be built two feet above the FEMA requirement as a "critical town facility." While the addition's height would be above the FEMA standard, it would be below the town's flood ordinance rule for this type of facility.The selectmen approved a motion to agree in concept to the proposed ambulance association expansion pending receipt and review of a land-lease amendment.

The selectmen approved a motion to agree in concept to the proposed ambulance association expansion pending receipt and review of a land-lease amendment.Pace said that once a lease amendment is prepared, the selectmen would hold a public hearing to allow public comment on it and, if it were then approved by the selectmen, it would move on to a town meeting for final approval.

Pace said that once a lease amendment is prepared, the selectmen would hold a public hearing to allow public comment on it and, if it were then approved by the selectmen, it would move on to a town meeting for final approval.The Old Saybrook Ambulance Association is a non-profit organization that relies on volunteers and on fees to provide the services to transport residents to area hospitals and clinics 24 hours per day.

The Old Saybrook Ambulance Association is a non-profit organization that relies on volunteers and on fees to provide the services to transport residents to area hospitals and clinics 24 hours per day.