Questions Linger on Proposed King Street Fire House

Whether there will be a King Street fire house on a town-owned parcel of land is questionable.

Preliminary studies of the land at 1327 King St., next door to the town-owned Griffith Harris Golf Course, indicate the site will only be able to accommodate a 2-bedroom facility that would house one fire truck and a staff of four. Original plans also included a squad from Greenwich Emergency Medical Service (GEMS).

For years, residents of the northwest corner of town have lobbied town officials for additional fire protection and emergency medical service in the area. Currently, GEMS has an ambulance stationed on the property where there is an older home.

During a discussion at last week's Board of Estimate and Taxation's Audit Committee on whether to release $175,000 for architectural and engineering plans for the fire house, town facilities director Alan Monelli and Public Works Commissioner Amy Siebert said a septic field for the facility could only be located in the front of the property. And with wetlands at the rear of the property and a wellfield for the golf course nearby, the size of the building and its location on the parcel are limited.

Those conditions also would limit the width of the driveway to one vehicle, although there is a possibility of relocating the entrance to the golf course to accommodate the access needs for fire equipment.

Monelli said the questions on whether it was feasible to proceed with the project or find an alternative location as suggested by some committee members, could be answered with the engineering study.

The committee delayed voting on the appropriation.

The committee voted to approve the release of $150,000 for a space utilitization study of town hall; $100,000 for a study of relocating and building a new pool at Byram Park; and the acceptance of a $600,000 federal grant for the purchase of a high-tech boat from the Department of Homeland Security.

The full BET is expected to vote on appropriations at its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Town Hall.