In early 2001, First Selectman Jenny Contois, along with the Colchester Historical Society and Colchester Hayward Volunteer Fire Department had a vision – to restore the old firehouse on South Main Street to its two-bay condition. Old Bacon Academy and Day Hall had both been renovated. Those buildings combined with Colchester Federated Church, a replica of the Colored School, and the original Fire House create a wonderful downtown historic area. The thought was to utilize the renovated fire house to house the original fire pumper truck which
has been restored and other Fire Department memorabilia to create a small museum. With financial assistance from both the Fire Company and the Historical Society, and support from the Historic District Commission, plans were developed, designs drawn up, and a grant written.
Although the Town did not receive the grant that year, Jenny did not give up – continuing to submit annual grant applications to the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism Historic Preservation and Museum Division. In December 2004, the Board of Selectmen adopted a resolution authorizing her to submit the 2005 grant application, only this time for a matching grant of up to $50,000. The Town of Colchester earmarked $50,000 to match the $50,000 grant from the State of Connecticut should it be received.
The Town soon received wonderful news – the grant was approved. It was waiting to be placed on the Governor’s bond list and as soon as it was approved by the Bond Commission, Colchester would receive the funds.
It is now three years later … and the Old Firehouse is still waiting. Why?
The first requirement of being approved by the Bond Commission is being placed on the bond list. The Governor controls what is placed on that list. Several times Town leaders were “sure” it was going to be placed on the list, only to find it left off time and time again. Letters and phone calls from Town leaders, and diligent work by Linda Orange and Eileen Daily as recently as this past spring, to move it to the top of the list have not moved it forward. Our old firehouse continues to deteriorate.
Many of you have asked, “What is to happen to the old firehouse? Why is it being allowed it to be an eyesore and continue its deterioration?” I can assure you that it is not for lack of caring or trying. So, what’s happening now?
We are attacking the issue from four sides:
(1) Efforts to encourage the Governor to place the already approved grant on the bond list have been renewed.
(2) At the same time, members of the Colchester Hayward Volunteer Fire Department have stepped forward and offered to act as stewards of the firehouse. While technically no longer a “firehouse,” the building is steeped in firehouse tradition and history. They have asked that the grant application be set aside, the $50,000 reserved by the Town be used to move forward on exterior renovations, and the Fire Department be allowed to use the space for equipment storage. We are researching current costs and options in relation to this possibility.
(3) The Town was invited several months ago to apply for a new grant available through the State of Connecticut for this type of work. We attended the workshop to learn about it and are moving forward on this application.
(4) We are also working with members of the Colchester Historical Society to find and apply for additional grant funding.
What does this mean for Colchester? First, and to my mind most important, a potentially increasing eyesore will be removed and the ongoing preservation of our historic center will be maintained. This work is one step forward in caretaking Colchester’s character and history; one step forward in making Colchester a “destination” for tourists and visitors. As the Bacon Academy Trustees are currently carrying out their annual giving campaign to help turn Old Bacon Academy into a cultural arts center, we are actively exploring fiscally achievable solutions to renovating the Old Firehouse. I know that with all of us working together to build our community, we will find that solution.
As always, I look forward to your thoughts and ideas.
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