New Greenwich Emergency Medical Service Station Plans Advance

GREENWICH, CT — Plans for a new Greenwich Emergency Medical Service station may soon become a reality following a necessary referral from the Board of Selectmen last week.

During their meeting Thursday, the board voted unanimously to approve GEMS' request for municipal improvement referral status of the project. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

According to the Greenwich Time, the approval allows GEMS to seek municipal improvement status for the project from the Planning and Zoning Commission. If granted, the MI status would allow for construction on town land. The total cost for the project is around $3 million including design and architectural fees.

The plans will still need approval from a number of other boards and commissions before any construction work can begin, and many aspects of it could change during that process.

According to documents submitted to the board, GEMS currently operates four stations in town, including Station 4, which went into service in 2002. The station's building, which was damaged by Super Storm Sandy in 2012, was ultimately deemed uninhabitable and torn down.

The station has operated out of a temporary trailer since 2013. The new station would be located at 1327 King Street.

Attorney John Heagney, who is representing GEMS, said Thursday they addressed some questions previously raised by board members and discussed some of the proposed building's architectural features with Town Administrator Ben Branyan and Superintendent of Building Construction and Maintenance Alan Monelli.

He also noted they would continue to work with the town on some aspects of the building, including laundry facilities and efforts to make it a green building.

"We've been trying to be conscientious," Heagney said, "with making sure this is something that is both environmentally sound and cost-efficient."

According to Heagney, the town's contract with GEMS obligates the two entities to work together to find a suitable permanent location for Station 4. The town is also obligated to provide funding to locate a replacement facility, Heagney said.

"Luckily we don't have to have that conversation," Heagney said, "because I think that 1327 King Street is a perfectly suitable place for Station 4."

Andy Fox, a GEMS board member, said the single-story building would be fully compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Heagney said they hope to meet with the Planning & Zoning Commission about the plans in December. They then hope to meet with the Board of Estimation and Taxation early next year about including the station in the 2021-22 capital budget.

"That would line us up to start construction on this project in the summer of 2021," Heagney said.

An exact budget for the project has not been set, however construction is currently estimated to cost approximately $1.4 million, which would be covered by the town. According to the Greenwich Time, this estimated price is on top of the $1.7 million budgeted for design and preliminary work.

First Selectman Fred Camillo noted the group's desire to start construction on the station in the summer.

"We've been pretty lucky with mild winters," Camillo said, "but I know it's always a concern having everything outside there, so that's hopefully something that everybody will consider."

Selectwoman Jill Oberlander said there has been an increase in demand for emergency services and a "significant number" of ambulance calls made in the area of the station. She also noted there were schools and nursing homes in the area.

"This location has been the operative Station 4 for quite some time," Oberlander said, "and the trailer that GEMS is operating out of and under is no longer really a feasible solution for that corridor."