Deep River committee votes unanimously to study alternate firehouse site with $1 million purchase cap

The Deep River Firehouse Building Committee voted unanimously Feb. 5 to pursue the feasibility of an alternative firehouse site and explore mechanisms to purchase property valued at no more than $1 million, with the total cost to be mitigated by a possible sale of the current firehouse site. Miriam Morrissey moved the motion and Dave Berardis seconded; the motion passed 6-0.

The motion text states the committee will "pursue the feasibility and the possibility of an alternative building site, and understand, with the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance, the mechanisms available to execute the purchase of a property of no more than $1 million dollar value with the total cost being mitigated by the possible sale of the current firehouse site." Committee members present and recorded in attendance were Lawrence Stewart (chair), Timothy Lee, Alan Paradis, Adam Kerop, Miriam Morrissey and Dave Berardis.

Committee members asked that Kornacki circulate the town attorney—s findings on whether moving the current site would trigger referendum requirements or other legal constraints; those findings will be retained by the committee for future reference. The meeting record lists Kathyrn Russell as attending as a Board of Finance member; no funding decisions were made at this meeting.

The committee—s action is a feasibility step, not an authorization to purchase. No purchase was approved; the motion directs staff and the committee to explore options and legal mechanisms. The committee recorded that the motion passed unanimously; individual vote names are recorded in the meeting minutes as present and voting.

Next steps: the town attorney—s legal findings are to be circulated to committee members, and the committee will continue review of site options in future meetings.