Newington Council To Consider $62K Firehouse Design Contract, Open Space Protections

NEWINGTON, CT — The Newington Town Council will consider a $61,650 architectural services contract for the historic Chapman Street Firehouse and a proposal to establish a subcommittee focused on protecting the town's open space when it meets Tuesday, Oct. 27.

The council also will consider disbanding its Social Media Policy Subcommittee, review a proposed right-of-way disposition and continue its search for a permanent town manager.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be available in a hybrid format, including participation through Zoom.

Chapman Street Firehouse Project

The council will consider a recommendation from the Permanent Municipal Building Commission to authorize Acting Town Manager Lauren Rhines to engage TLB Architecture to prepare construction documents and provide bidding and construction administration services for the Chapman Street Firehouse project.

The commission unanimously recommended the $61,650 expenditure at its Oct. 1 meeting.

The project involves historic restoration and improvements to the former firehouse at 2 Chapman St., with plans for the building to accommodate cold storage.

According to a memorandum from Rhines, the architectural work can be funded through an existing capital improvement account. However, the account would have approximately $230,000 remaining after the expenditure, compared with an estimated overall project cost of approximately $476,000.

The architectural estimate includes restoration of masonry, doors, windows, roofing and other building components, along with electrical and mechanical work.

The commission may recommend modifications to the project and seek additional funding after the next design phase.

The council is being asked to authorize the architectural contract, not the full construction expenditure.

Open Space Protection Subcommittee Proposed

Council members will revisit a proposal introduced Sept. 22 to establish a three-member Open Space Protection and Ordinance Development Subcommittee.

The proposed panel would review ways to strengthen protections for existing open space and recommend policies to preserve additional land.

Its responsibilities would include developing ordinance changes that make it more difficult to dispose of or alter designated open space, identifying potential conservation easements and exploring ways to increase funding for land acquisition.

The subcommittee also would examine opportunities to negotiate rights of first refusal or purchase development rights involving privately or state-owned property.

The proposed resolution calls for three council members to serve on the subcommittee, with Mayor Jon Trister serving as an ex officio member.

The proposal remains subject to council approval.

Social Media Policy Subcommittee Could Be Disbanded

The council also will consider a recommendation to formally dissolve the Social Media Policy Subcommittee, which was established in 2017 and amended in 2018.

According to an Oct. 22 memorandum from Town Clerk James Krupienski, the Boards and Commissions Review Subcommittee unanimously recommended disbanding the panel Oct. 19.

The memorandum states that the social media policy originally assigned to the subcommittee was subsequently implemented through Administrative Letter No. 41, issued Sept. 17, 2025.

The council will decide whether to accept the recommendation.

Retirement Recognition, New Town Planner

The council is scheduled to recognize Building Official Douglas Jourdan, who is retiring Nov. 6 after approximately 18 years of service to Newington.

Jourdan joined the town Sept. 22, 2008, after previously serving as building official in Tolland and holding positions in Windsor and South Windsor.

The council also is scheduled to welcome Brittany MacGilpin, who became Newington's town planner Oct. 7.

MacGilpin previously worked in municipal planning in West Hartford and Simsbury. She holds a bachelor's degree from Connecticut College and a master's degree in public administration from San Diego State University.

Griswoldville Avenue Right-of-Way Sale Under Consideration

The council will consider disposing of a town-owned strip of land along Griswoldville Avenue adjoining 125 Waverly Drive.

The property owners have requested to purchase a strip approximately 12 feet wide and 184 feet long, totaling about 2,208 square feet.

According to documents in the meeting packet, the owners previously installed a fence extending into the town's right-of-way. The fence was removed after the town engineer determined that it interfered with motorists' sight lines.

The owners subsequently sought to acquire part of the right-of-way to provide additional yard space and allow a new fence.

The town's review indicates that the proposed strip contains no existing utilities and that utility companies have no identified plans to use it for future expansion.

The council will consider the proposed disposition following the town's land review process.

Memorial Roadway Naming Request

The council also will consider referring a request to designate part of Robbins Avenue as the Frederick H. Callahan III Memorial Roadway to the Facilities Naming Subcommittee.

Amber Callahan Dodge submitted the request in honor of her father, whom she described as a lifelong Newington resident.

In her letter, Dodge said Callahan served for more than 20 years as a supernumerary police officer and also served as town constable and volunteer firefighter. He was a co-owner of Bowl-O-Rama and participated in community fundraising activities, she said.

The proposed designation would cover Robbins Avenue between Maple Hill Avenue and Willard Avenue.

The council is being asked to refer the request for review, rather than approve the designation immediately.

Emergency Radio Tower, Town Manager Search

The council will receive information concerning a proposed emergency radio tower in the East Cedar Street right-of-way near 295 and 305 East Cedar St..

The Town Plan and Zoning Commission issued a favorable referral Oct. 13, finding that the proposed location did not conflict with Newington's Plan of Conservation and Development.

The council also is scheduled to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters involving the town manager search, followed by an update on the hiring process.

How To Attend

The Newington Town Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m., with hybrid participation available.

Residents may join remotely using the following information:

• Telephone: 833-548-0276 or 833-548-0282
• Webinar ID: 859 8477 4481
• Participant ID and password: 298430#

Residents wishing to speak during public participation must use the meeting's recognition procedure. The agenda specifies a four-minute limit per speaker.

All proposed resolutions remain subject to council action at the meeting.