New ‘Station 2’ Firehouse Headed To Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — Local leaders lauded the allocation of more than $8.6 million in state bonding to replace the out-of-date firehouse on Circular Avenue and construct a new facility on Putnam Avenue in Hamden.

Gov. Ned Lamont joined State Representative Mike D’Agostino (D-Hamden), town officials and state legislators on Tuesday for the announcement in Hamden.

D'Agostino has been pursuing the request with the help of the House Chair of the Bonding Subcommittee, Representative Dorinda Borer (D-West Haven), the Hamden Fire Department, the Hamden Professional Firefighters Local 2687, and the Hamden legislative delegation, according to a news release.

"Building a new, modernized firehouse in Hamden will enable critical public safety services to continue for many years to come, and provide our first responders with the tools they need to do their jobs and do it safely," Lamont said in a statement. "I am glad that the state is able to partner with the Town of Hamden and get this firehouse project completed."

D'Agostino said, "I have been committed to securing this funding for more than two years. The Dixwell Avenue Fire Station is a 100-year-old building that currently violates standards for safety and accessibility, which is an unacceptable working standard for the firefighters who have selflessly protected our community. With $8.6 million in state bonding, Hamden will begin building a brand-new Emergency Operations Center with all of the modern necessities so our firefighters can do the work they do."

Read more from the news release below:

"I am thankful for the work of the Hamden Administration and the Hamden Delegation to Hartford, including the unwavering support of Representative D’Agostino as this long-sought-after project becomes a reality,” Hamden Fire Chief Gary Merwede said. “Community-based Fire and Emergency Services are an intrinsic part of our local safety net. Station 2 is situated in the most densely populated Fire District in Hamden, directly protecting almost 24,000 citizens and 6,500 addresses. Governor Lamont’s support of this project through bonding assistance will give us a community resource for decades, including on-site training, an Emergency Operations Center, and the ability to respond to the ever-growing needs of the Hamden community.”

Mayor Lauren Garrett said: “I want to thank Governor Ned Lamont, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, and our hard-working state delegation Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney, Senator Jorge Cabrera, Representative Mike D’Agostino, Representative Josh Elliott, and Representative Robyn Porter for supporting Hamden’s need for a new, healthy Fire Station 2 in Southern Hamden, which receives the most calls. Employees’ health and well-being are affected by their work environment. This new Fire Station 2 will allow our firefighters to better serve their community and live healthier, safer lives. I want to recognize State Senator Marilyn Moore and State Representative Dorinda Borer, Co-Chairs of the Bonding Subcommittee, for allowing our state delegation to put this important funding onto the bonding agenda. Thank you to Mike D’Agostino and Jorge Cabrera for shepherding this project through the legislative process. I want to recognize our Town Engineer, Stephen White, and our Fire Department, Chief Gary Merwede, and Assistant Chief Jeffrey Naples, for their collaboration in putting together preliminary plans for Fire Station 2.”

The current Station 2 firehouse has experienced a 17 percent increase in call volume over the past five years and continues to be the busiest firehouse in Hamden. The $8,600,064.78 in funding will pay for numerous upgrades in a pre-fabricated Firehouse, on Putnam, already acquired by the Town of Hamden, that will enable the town to meet that growing need.

Additionally, Hamden received a long-standing request of $1.35 million for the Keefe Community Center. This will provide vital funding for repairs to the buildings’ windows, roof, HVAC, gym, and front lobby. These upgrades are intended to create an all-encompassing community center for Hamden, which has been a town-wide initiative for more accessible resources.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the Station 2 firehouse was located on Dixwell Avenue. It is located at 71 Circular Avenue.