DEEP RIVER - The Fire Department Study Committee has presented a draft of its latest report to the Board of Selectmen, this one detailing the options available for the firehouse-options that range from "do nothing" to constructing a new firehouse in a new location. The committee makes no recommendations, but instead details options along with pros and cons for each.

The future of the present firehouse has been debated for several years. Located at 57 Union Street, the building is aging and crowded. It is 60 years old; provides limited space for today's newer, larger equipment; is not handicapped accessible; and has no space sufficient for the training necessary for firefighters and insufficient storage space, among other concerns.

Taxpayers have twice turned aside proposals to fund additions. After the second proposal was defeated, the Board of Selectmen appointed a study committee to look at the long-term needs of the fire department. In March, the committee completed the first phase of its report, which centered around the department's short- and long-term needs for equipment, equipment acquisition, and training. Phase two of the study discusses the firehouse itself and the space requirements the department needs now and in the future.

Selectman Art Thompson, who pushed for appointment of the study committee following the second failed referendum vote, introduced the draft report by praising the committee.

"You were not appointed as a building committee, but a study committee," he said, "And that's what you've done here."

Thompson said he was also pleased with the selectmen's decision to appoint members of the community to the committee, not just members of the fire department.

The draft report discusses six potential solutions. They are described as:

1) Do nothing.

2) "Band-Aid fix"-a proposal to bump out the front of the present firehouse by 10 feet to create additional space.

3) Build an additional bay and the 10-foot bump out to the front of the existing building.

4) Major addition and renovation to the existing building "same as or similar to the plan that was offered at the recent referendum."

5) New firehouse construction on the current lot, to be done in two steps-build a new firehouse next to the existing one, then demolish the existing one.

6) New firehouse construction at a new location.

The study committee's report discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each potential solution. Not surprisingly, the "do nothing" option provides short-term cost savings, but leaves existing and potential problems unaddressed. Each option after that succeeds in addressing more and more of the space issues faced at the present building, but each option also steps up the costs.

One of the issues the committee is most concerned by is the town's ISO rating. This is the rating that national agencies attach to specific geographic areas, based on standardized measures for fire response and safety. ISO ratings affect every homeowner's insurance rates. Poor ISO ratings mean higher annual fire insurance costs for residents.

A major addition and renovation to the existing building, according to the study committee report, provides solutions to all the issues, such as overcrowding on the floor, space for new equipment, a training room, office, new ventilation and heating systems, and more, however, it would likely be the most expensive option.

"After completion of the project, we still have a 60 year-old structure for much of the building. This option will not allow the building to be used during construction in winter, as the trucks require a heated environment," the report reads.

The report also discusses constructing a new firehouse at a new location and looks at nine alternate locations, again listing the pros and cons of each. These include 208 Main Street, 245 Main Street, 246 Main Street, Southworth Street, 12 Winthrop Road, 1 Winthrop Road, Bahr Road, 77 Winthrop Road, and 206 Winthrop Road.

The committee will continue to work on its report over the next two months. The selectmen asked the committee to consider holding an informational meeting sooner rather than later to begin talking with and listening to residents.

"I can tell you from the last two votes, communication and information are very important," First Selectman Dick Smith said.

The committee suggested the town post its report on the town website. Smith agreed.