Regional chiefs press state to act on long‑standing fire training school plans; NVCOG to convene committee

Board members and regional fire officials discussed the long‑running effort to establish a regional fire training school, with several speakers urging renewed political coordination to move a shovel‑ready project forward.

ED staff said the current Wolcott facility is "kind of falling apart" and described plans and land availability for a Cheshire site that has plans and state‑owned land but has stalled for political reasons. Ed St. John and other chiefs recounted more than 20 years of discussion without construction and criticized state delay. St. John said the project "will outlive us," reflecting frustration that funding and bond commission action have not produced construction.

Participants said Beacon Falls had been promised funding for a school and that the town requested its land back when the state did not proceed. NVCOG members discussed forming a small committee of interested parties and municipal volunteers to coordinate advocacy with the Waterbury Area Chiefs and to meet state legislators and decision‑makers. The board directed staff to assemble a committee and identify volunteers; several members volunteered to participate and staff said they would convene an initial meeting.

No formal NVCOG action was recorded beyond the direction to form a committee and coordinate support; attendees emphasized the political nature of funding and the need for legislative support and renewed advocacy.