Local leaders on Friday announced the State Bond Commission approved $396,270 in bond funding to replace the septic system and install watershed protection with added parking at the Easton Emergency Medical Service building on Sport Hill Road.
The new septic system is part of a $3.7 million project the Board of Finance’s approved after receiving the EMS Planning and Building Committee’s proposal to repair the building and make room for more ambulances and personnel, bringing it in line with modern emergency medical facilities. The committee had also considered building an addition on the current Easton Volunteer Fire Company building on Center Road. The board agreed with the committee’s recommendation that the most cost-effective solution is an addition to the current EMS facility.
Since 1988, EMS has run its operations in a building which has become outdated in several respects. These include three garage bays for four vehicles, limited office space (five shared desks for 10 administrative members), live-in/overnight accommodations for just three people, no elevator access to the second floor and a number of repair issues.
“This is a tremendous commitment from the state that is going to kickstart this project,” Easton EMS Chief Jonathan Arnold stated in a press release. “This begins the process of transforming a more than 100-year-old building into a state-of-the-art facility. This transformation will improve response times and save lives. We are grateful that this has been an ongoing community-wide effort with support from local, state and federal officials.”
State Rep. Anne Hughes (D-Easton, Redding, Weston) said the bond funding is a culmination of a long collaboration with EMS leadership, Easton First Selectman David Bindelglass, and a visit to the town by Office of Policy and Management Secretary Jeffrey Beckham with state Rep. Ron Napoli (D-Waterbury), House Bonding Subcommittee Chair, to see the current needs and state of disrepair of the septic system and infrastructure for vital services.
“Easton EMS has been seeking for this funding for years to do much-needed upgrades, and I am so proud of everyone’s advocacy and the extensive community support,” Hughes stated in a press release.
The EMS expansion project includes purchasing the land between the EMS building and the Easton Village Store, which is assessed at $130,000. The town has received $2,092,923 in funds through the American Rescue Plan Act which can be used for the project.
The additional land should allow improvements to the septic system. While the renovation is in progress, EMS would have access to the adjacent property to put a trailer and a tent to house the vehicles.
State Senator Tony Hwang (R-Bethel, Easton, Fairfield, and Newtown) praised the state Bond Commission’s decision to help the Easton Volunteer EMS help save lives.
“This is very good news for Easton,” Hwang said in a press release. “Upgrading the town’s EMS facility is a multi-step process, and these state funds are appreciated. Improvements to the Easton Volunteer EMS will support efforts that will save lives. “
The EMS Planning and Building Committee is in the process of choosing an architect for the project.
In his weekly message, First Selectman David Bindelglass said when the cost of the project is finalized it will go before the Board of Finance and then to a town meeting and referendum to seek approval for the final portion of funding which will occur in 2024.
