Price Tag High for Firehouse Upgrades

Next week, voters will be asked to decide if $9 million should be allocated to renovations at North Haven's four fire stations.

According to an article published yesterday in the New Haven Register, Headquarters Company 1, West Ridge Company 3 and Northeast Company 4 would see substantial upgrades. Montowese Company 2 would be torn down and rebuilt altogether.

A full summary of findings on conditions at the town's fire stations can be read here.

Interviewed in the Register's article, Fire Chief Vincent Landisio said that the Montowese station is most in need of attention:

“There is a lack of operating space, storage and proper ventilation,” Landisio said. “Our goal is to knock it down and rebuild on the same land.”

Also mentioned are cramped working conditions at the firehouse:

Because of the tight space, the trucks have to be pulled into the driveway so that firefighters can board, and so that the driver’s side door on one engine doesn’t hit the passenger’s side door of the other in the middle of the bay when the doors open.

The report issued by the building committee concluded:

"A combination of new construction, renovations, and additions would be the most responsible approach for solving the deficiencies found. The current locations match the demographics and geography of the town. No change is recommended to the locations of the firehouses. This saves trying to find Town land to use, or worse, acquire new land for the Fire Department."

What are your thoughts on the renovations? Is a $9 million price tag too high?