Canton Selectmen Nix Request To Keep Old Firehouse

CANTON, CT — Local selectmen nixed a proposal by the local school board to keep the old Canton Fire Station, which is about to be replaced, for the school system.

The Canton Board of Education had sent a letter to the Canton Board of Selectmen recently asking that the town reconsider tearing it down so the school system could have more storage.

But selectmen last week briefly discussed the idea and shot down the request, saying demolition of the old fire station has always been part of the construction project.

In 2021, voters said "yes" to building a new headquarters on 51 River Road in Collinsville for the Town of Canton Fire & EMS Services for about $4.95 million.

Last year, the town broke ground on the project and, in recent weeks, progress has been visibly apparent at the site, with firefighters expected to move into their new space this year.

At the April 10 selectmen meeting, Canton Chief Administrative Officer Robert Skinner notified board members of the school system request, seeking guidance on the next steps.

According to selectmen, however, there are no "next steps" as it has already been decided to take down the old, antiquated building.

Selectman William Volovski said he understood why the school system would want the building, but "we are past that."

Selectmen said demolition of the old site is what voters wanted, citing public input to that end.

According to selectmen, there are other options for added storage within Canton schools.

For the minutes of the April 10 Canton Board of Selectmen meeting, click on this link.

For more images of the ongoing Canton Fire Station project, click on the department's Facebook page.

From Dec. 28, 2023: 'SEE: Progress Continues At Canton FD Firehouse Site'