WEST HARTFORD, CT — Thanks to the recent action of the town, the West Hartford Fire Department will have a new generator to provide power should it be needed in an emergency.
The West Hartford Town Council voted unanimously on May 12 to accept and appropriate federal grant funding for the purchase and installation of a generator at WHFD's Firehouse Station No. 1 at 561 Prospect Ave.
The council approved the resolution in a 9-0 vote following a motion by Deputy Mayor Debra Polun and a second by Councilor Tiffani McGinnis.
According to West Hartford Town Manager Rick Ledwith, the town was awarded funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program, administered by the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
The total grant award is $119,402.65, including $107,462.39 in federal funding and a required local match of $11,940.26.
Town officials said the municipal portion will be covered through existing appropriations in the town-wide generators capital improvement project approved in fiscal year 2024.
The project will fund the purchase and installation of a generator at the firehouse.
"The investment is an important step in strengthening the resilience of one of our key public safety facilities, ensuring that Fire Station No. 1 remains fully operational during power outages or emergency events," Ledwith said.
"It's critical to maintaining critical emergency response service to our community."
Ledwith said Firehouse No. 1 currently has no generator, with other firehouses in town having such generators.
"This is great news. I'm sure it will, hopefully, not be used much, but it's greatly appreciated," West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor said.
Council documents stated the grant period runs from April 8 through Nov. 1, 2026, which is also the deadline for completing the installation.
As part of the resolution, the council amended the fiscal year 2025-26 Capital Projects Fund budget by increasing federal grant revenue and decreasing anticipated bond proceeds by the same amount.
For the minutes of the May 12 West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link.
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