Newington Fire Commission Tackles Space Crisis, Celebrates Fire Inspection Milestone

Town Council · Meeting of May 14, 2025

CT NEWINGTON — Newington's Board of Fire Commissioners voted to circulate proposed departmental rule-and-regulation changes for member comment while confronting a sudden storage crisis after the old Company 3 firehouse on Chapman Street lost its insurance coverage and equipment was removed on short notice. Commissioners said they learned only days before the May 14 meeting that an inspection by the town's insurer found the building in deplorable condition, stripping coverage for vehicles and personnel; at least one fire truck is now stored outdoors. Commissioner DeMaio called the situation avoidable, saying a $250,000 repair plan with architectural drawings and contractors was shelved when the project was transferred to a town building committee years ago.

On a positive note, Fire Marshal CJ reported departmentwide fire-code compliance has risen to 81.5 percent, with District 6 at 100 percent. The commission also welcomed new Fire Inspector Eric Chase, retired after 20 years with the Southington Fire Department, and noted a $325,000 capital allocation for a burn-room repair and a firehouse exhaust-system installation expected by July.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 888 words

Source: the Town Council meeting of May 14, 2025, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

NEWINGTON — May 14, 2025 — The Newington Board of Fire Commissioners voted to circulate proposed updates to the department's rules and regulations for member comment, while also grappling with a sudden loss of storage space after the old Company 3 firehouse on Chapman Street was declared uninsurable and evacuated on short notice.

The commission set a June 11 deadline for written feedback on the rule changes before taking final action. The Chapman Street situation drew extended and at times pointed discussion, with commissioners and members of the public describing it as an avoidable crisis years in the making.

The Full Story

The board opened its May 14 meeting at 7:03 p.m. with a Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for fallen firefighters during National Fallen Firefighters Week.

Fire Marshal CJ reported that departmentwide fire-code compliance has climbed to 81.5 percent as of the meeting date, up from 77 percent on May 1. District 6, covering Fen Road and overseen by Fire Inspector Sokolowski, has reached 100 percent compliance. Districts 1 and 2, handled by Fire Inspector Carlson and Fire Inspector Sullivan respectively, stand at 93 percent and 97 percent. The Fire Marshal said his office is now shifting resources toward District 4, described as the most densely occupied area, covering the west side of the turnpike and Market Square.

"We've hit the point where, as we do inspections, we don't have multiple more popping up. So we're actually making extremely good progress." [00:00:00] — Fire Marshal CJ

The commission also voted unanimously to post proposed rule-and-regulation changes to the four company firehouses, with written comments due to the commission by June 11.

Commissioner DeMaio described the effort as collaborative. "This wasn't a one-person or an individual thing. It was a combination of the commission and the complete fire department command staff." [00:00:00] — Commissioner DeMaio

On the budget, a commission member reported a 3.5 percent pension increase was funded for the current year — the first pension funding increase since 2000 — along with a one-time supplemental bump. An additional $325,000 in capital funds, described as coming through the departing finance director, was earmarked for a burn-room repair and apparatus purchases. Firehouse exhaust systems, a long-sought cancer-prevention measure across all company stations, have been ordered and are expected to be installed by approximately July.

The single sharpest discussion of the night concerned Chapman Street. Commissioners said they learned only the previous Thursday that the town's insurance carrier had inspected the old Company 3 building — vacant since it was placed under a town building committee — and refused to cover vehicles, personnel, or equipment there. The department was directed to remove its apparatus on short notice. As a result, equipment has been relocated to stations where crews are not trained for it, and at least one truck is now stored outdoors. A commission member noted that drive-through bay configurations at other stations, designed to eliminate the need for trucks to back up, have been disrupted. Commissioner DeMaio said the commission intends to meet with the Town Council and the mayor to seek a resolution quickly. Town Manager Jonathan, identified only by first name during the meeting, was praised for trying to assist with alternate storage.

A commission member noted the department had $250,000 set aside several years ago for Chapman Street repairs — windows, a roof, and asbestos abatement — and had architectural drawings and contractors lined up, but the project was redirected to a town building committee and never completed. "It would have been done today," the member said.

On station four, Commissioner Cassie reported the Town Council received the space-needs presentation for Companies 3 and 4 well at a recent Tuesday meeting and is expected to move toward a public referendum, potentially in November. The commission noted that community reaction on social media has been more positive than negative so far.

The commission also welcomed new Fire Inspector Eric Chase, recently retired after 20 years with the Southington Fire Department, who joined the office last month. A second new inspector, Brian Petricelli, an assistant chief with the Meriden Fire Department, was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict.

Why It Matters

The Chapman Street firehouse has been at the center of a years-long dispute over ownership and responsibility between the fire department and the town. The insurance company's decision to withdraw coverage has created an immediate operational problem: equipment stored outside is exposed to weather and wear, and relocated trucks are creating safety complications in bays at other stations. The commission says it will need a resolution within 18 to 24 months at most. Separately, a November referendum on new or expanded quarters for Companies 3 and 4 is advancing toward the ballot, and the commission says it will begin a public outreach push in September to build support.

Key Motions & Votes

- Vote: Approve minutes of the April 8, 2026 meeting Tally: Approved unanimously

- Vote: Accept monthly reports as presented Tally: Approved unanimously

- Vote: Accept ledger status as presented Tally: Approved unanimously

- Vote: Post proposed rules and regulations changes to company firehouses for member comment, with written responses due to the commission by June 11 Tally: Approved unanimously

- Vote: Adjourn Tally: Approved unanimously

Source

Newington's community access TV: Board of Fire Commissioners meeting, May 14, 2025