Hamden Secures $4.3 Million Bond Request For Firehouse On Upcoming Bonding Agenda

December 14, 2021

HAMDEN SECURES $4.3 MILLION BOND REQUEST FOR FIREHOUSE ON UPCOMING BONDING AGENDA
 

(HARTFORD, CT) – Representative Mike D'Agostino (D-Hamden) announced today that the $4.3 million state bonding request for the construction of a new Station 2 Firehouse on Putnam Avenue has been placed on the state's bonding committee agenda by the Governor. Rep. D'Agostino has been pursuing this request with the help of the Hamden Fire Department, Hamden Professional Firefighters Local 2687 and the rest of the Hamden delegation.

"Fire Station 2 is in a 100-year-old building that currently violates OSHA standards for safety and accessibility,” said Rep. D'Agostino. "The Hamden Fire Station 2 firefighters have selflessly protected our community from there but they, and the community, need a new building. I am excited that this will no longer be the story for Hamden's busiest fire station, serving a population of traditionally underserved residents."

"Hamden Fire Station 2 is the busiest Hamden Fire Station in the Hamden community. While the current station has served the department and the neighborhood well for many, many years, the needs of the department have outgrown the capabilities of the aging building. The prospect of funding assistance from the State of Connecticut for this long-awaited project is very exciting. The financial challenge of supporting critical safety infrastructure and maintaining all the other town obligations on a local level has put this project on hold for a long time. I am grateful for the support of the Town Administration and the hard work of the entire Hamden Delegation to Hartford, including the critical work of Representative D’Agostino, for moving this important community asset to the bonding agenda," Fire Chief Gary P. Merwede said.

"I want to thank our hard-working state delegation for getting this important funding onto the bonding agenda. Hamden Fire Station 2 receives the most calls, and serves Southern Hamden, which has the most need. Healthy firefighters are better able to serve their community, and it is imperative that we provide them with a safe work environment," said Hamden Mayor, Lauren Garrett.

The current firehouse has experienced a 17% increase in call volume over the past five years and continues to be the busiest firehouse in Hamden. The $4,300,032.39 in funding will pay for numerous upgrades in a pre-fabricated firehouse already acquired by the Town of Hamden, that will enable the town to meet that need.

While not officially approved, most bonding requests that appear on the Commission's Agenda are approved. Their upcoming meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 21, 2021.