Incumbent Democratic candidate for Jewett City Warden considers selling Borough owned Fire House

Griswold Ambulance proposes relocation

by Julie A. Varughese - published by Norwich Bulletin on February 14, 2007

JEWETT CITY -- American Legion Ambulance Inc., also known as Griswold Ambulance, is interested in buying the A.A. Young Jr. Hose & Ladder Co. No. 1 building on Hill Street.

Borough Warden Cynthia Kata said she had been thinking about transferring the building to the town of Griswold. That way, the borough wouldn't be responsible for maintaining a building the town uses to store its fire equipment.

"Right now, it's not saving or costing (taxpayers), but if they (the fire department) come in next year and say, 'We need a new floor or a new roof,' that could be $20,000 or $50,000," Kata said.

Right now, however, the building is not for sale, she said.

Griswold Ambulance operates out of the building next to the Town Hall and Senior Center on Soule Street.

But Ambulance President William Czmyr said that building is getting too small for its operations.

"We wouldn't have to add on or look for a new site. (The fire station) would fit our needs just as it stands," he said.

Czmyr said the fire station location is just as convenient for emergency responses as the ambulance's existing building.

Griswold Ambulance has two full-time workers, 18 per-diem workers and two ambulances. The round-the-clock ambulance also serves Lisbon, Plainfield and Voluntown.

The fire department has 53 personnel and four bays for fire trucks.

Czmyr said the possibility of having fire personnel and Griswold Ambulance work out of the same building will have to be worked out if the borough entered into negotiations with the ambulance company.

Because the building belongs to the borough, Czmyr's request to the town could not be discussed by selectmen Tuesday night.

Fire Chief Bob Hanson could not be reached for comment.