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East Haddam committee warns schedule slip could delay firehouse by months; July packet and public meeting set
Summary
The East Haddam project committee set a July 23 meeting and plans a pre-read packet for the Board of Finance and Selectmen after hearing that a missed July presentation could push the firehouse project into January and add months and escalation costs. Members also received a positive well test report.
Craig, a committee member, told colleagues the committee must meet the Board of Finance schedule or risk a months-long delay to a proposed firehouse project. "If we don't make this date and we can't get the resolutions done, we're out until January to get it back onto a referendum because of the elections," he said, warning that the pause could add "6 to 8 months" and raise project escalation costs by roughly 8 percent.
The committee agreed to assemble a full pre-read PowerPoint and packet to share with the Board of Finance and the Board of Selectmen ahead of a July 27 briefing, and to present to those boards in person. Members said the packet will include links to public hearing materials and supporting documents so board members can review the project history before the briefing.
Nicole confirmed the FAQs produced by staff are posted and available for review. Committee members also debated fallback referendum timing if the July/August schedule slips: early October or a November ballot were discussed as options, but members cautioned that putting the question on a separate early-voting ballot would be complicated.
The committee set a follow-up meeting for Thursday, July 23, and favored a 6–7 p.m. start with the public comment period to follow; the meeting will be used to finalize and publicly agree on the project numbers before sending materials to the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen.
Eric, a consultant, reported on the well-drilling results for the site: the well "sustained a pumping rate of 15 gallons per minute for 72 hours with a stabilized drawdown of approximately 36 feet," and the consultant said that yields a continuous supply of more than 10,000 gallons per day. The committee requested a layout for the well room and said the well information will be included in the packet to demonstrate infrastructure readiness.
Outreach steps were also discussed: committee members asked for short videos and one-pager handouts showing building deficiencies to include in the packet and to post on town channels to inform voters. Craig said the committee will contact bond counsel to determine the cost and timing to draft the necessary bonding resolution so it can be ready if the boards approve the plan.
On routine business, members approved the minutes from June 16 and later moved to adjourn. The committee closed by reminding members to prepare materials for the July Board of Finance and Selectmen briefings and to prioritize getting buy-in from the Board of Finance so the bonding resolution can proceed on the August schedule if possible.
