Connecticut Post

14 years later, fire HQ on target
Stratford workers move to complete long-sought $5.8m facility

By FRANK WASHKUCH Jr. fwashkuch@ctpost.com
Wednesday, December 29, 2004

STRATFORD — Town officials still plan on a spring completion for the town's new Fire Department headquarters, a project that has been in the works nearly 15 years.

The $5.8 million project is on budget and could open in either late March or early April, town officials said this week.

"There is a lot of stuff going on right now," Fire Chief Ron Nattrass said. "And a lot of it has to do with those things that you tend to take for granted."

Nattrass said the building's brick work and roof are almost complete, and its plumbing and electrical systems are being installed as well.

The Main Street facility was originally slated to be finished three months ago. An oil leak last February on the property is responsible for the delay.

Deputy Fire Chief John Cybart said the latest work has been on the rear of the structure and its interior, and windows and doors should be installed soon.

"They're doing the finishing touches on the brick work now," he said. "And there are some openings that need to be filled."

The Town Council approved a resolution last month to name the fire headquarters in honor of late Fire Chief John Connell, who had advocated a new facility dating back to 1991, when the concept was initially approved. The funding, however, was not allocated until years later.

A Korean War veteran, Connell served in the department from 1964 to 1992, and was chief for his last five years. He died in 2000.

Town Councilwoman Jennifer Hillgen-Santa, R-1, who sponsored the resolution to name the building for Connell, said the firehouse will be more worthy of the Fire Department.

"The men and women of the fire department have not always had the best headquarters, but we're working to change that," she said. "This will be something the whole community can be proud of."

The new base will also house a centralized emergency dispatch system.

Currently, the town's fire and emergency medical service calls are handled by a private company, C-MED of Bridgeport. The Police Department has its own dispatch system.

The centralized dispatch system, which will cost the town $844,200, may be fully operational by next fall.

Councilman Angelo Stavola, D-4, said the new dispatch system is a significant improvement. "I do believe, consolidation-wise, that it will be much better," he said.

Frank Washkuch Jr., who covers Stratford, can be reached at 330-6287.