Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fire Department Expansion topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Norwich moves forward on fire-station expansion after levy passage; state and federal grants finance new apparatus and equipment
Summary
After voters approved the fire levy, trustees broke ground on Station 84, accepted a $1 million state strategic-community grant and federal grant awards, and approved major equipment purchases and multiple hires to staff the expanded service footprint.
Norwich Township trustees and fire leaders reported the passage of the fire levy and moved to implement the capital and staffing plans voters approved. Chief Dave Baird thanked voters after the levy’s passage and led a June 2024 groundbreaking ceremony for Station 84.
Trustees accepted a one-time State Strategic Community Investment grant for $1,000,000 and recorded federal grant awards tied to equipment purchases: the Assistance to Firefighters Grant contributed heavily to the procurement of five power cots ($334,516.75 total; grant share $284,763.63) and other federal grant support is recorded for breathing-air systems and cardiac devices. The board approved a suite of station and operational equipment purchases over the year, including a breathing air compressor ($65,720), a Lifepak and Lucas device for Quint 84 ($64,196.78), turnout gear replacements, gear dryers and extractors, and portable radios and chargers; several purchases were explicitly recorded as 2024 capital budget items.
To staff expanded coverage, trustees authorized multiple conditional offers and promotions through the year and set terms for 2025 leadership roles. The board also approved an IAFF collective bargaining agreement, promotions into Battalion Chief and Captain ranks, and clarified employment terms for senior fire leadership as the department transitions. Trustees have allocated bond proceeds, grant funds and capital appropriations to cover the equipment and staffing needs while monitoring project costs and schedule.
Provenance: Levy/groundbreaking, hiring and grants are recorded across April–June meetings (SEG 026, SEG 028, SEG 037); grant-funded equipment purchases and approvals are documented in September–October (SEG 056, SEG 060–063).
