Rell Announces Funding for Firehouse

By Kirk Lang
Article Launched:10/06/2006 09:50:07 AM EDT

Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced last week that $50,000 in new state funding for improvements to firehouses in Westport is expected to be approved at Friday's meeting of the State Bond Commission.

"This money will allow Westport to make necessary upgrades and renovations at its firehouses," said Rell. "We want to do all we can to make sure out first responders have the finest facilities and equipment. They deserve it. This is good news for Westport."

Rell is no stranger to Westport's fire facilities. Just last month, at the Post Road headquarters of the Westport Fire Department, she provided Fire Chief Christopher Ackley, and representatives of the Westport Police Department and Westport Volunteer EMS, with proclamations declaring Sept. 14 as "First Responders Day." The only other firehouses Rell visited that day were in Naugatuck and Trumbull.

Ackley said it was the first time in his 29-year career that a sitting governor had visited the Westport Fire Department.

Rell, in a press release for the upcoming funding for Westport's firehouses, was quoted as saying, "All across the state, we are looking at cities and towns and saying, 'Which properties make this municipality extraordinary? What are the locations that provide a stronger local identity and sense of community?' In other words, what can we do to help preserve and protect the true character and heritage of Connecticut? We are making steady progress toward answering those questions and meeting those goals. Firehouses are the bedrock of our communities. We are pleased to help upgrade some of Westport's local asset."

The Bond Commission is scheduled to meet Friday at 10:30 a.m. in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.