Officials, Firefighters Break Ground On East Haven Fire Department's Foxon Firehouse Expansion, Renovation

EAST HAVEN, CT — The first phase of the Foxon Fire Station expansion and renovation project is underway after the official groundbreaking Tuesday, marking "an important milestone" for the fire department's Foxon station and the town," East Haven Fire Chief Matthew Marcarelli said.

The centerpiece of the project is a 48' x 72' addition and a standing seam lightweight steel truss roof over the existing building, finished with a decorative cupola, he said.

"This project will improve curb appeal, allow vehicles and equipment currently stored outside in the elements an area sheltered inside, expand parking and an outdoor training area," he said.

The project, proposed by Marcarelli, "represents the first major capital improvement to a public safety building since the high school was constructed, and it’s long overdue," he said.

The addition and Phase One renovation allows the fire department "to better serve the Foxon community by finally providing proper space for our apparatus and equipment—much of which has been stored outside or in shipping containers, exposed to the elements."

"It addresses long-standing issues, including the removal of a problematic, leaky flat roof, and it expands both parking and our exterior training area," Marcarelli said. "This investment benefits both our career and volunteer firefighters, giving them a safer, more functional facility that reflects the level of service they provide every day."

The project was supported by the East Haven Board of Fire Commissioners, Board of Finance and the East Haven Town Council.

Completed in 1968 the original fire station has seen minor improvements over the past 58 years, and is the "first major renovation in any of in fire station in decades," Marcarelli said.

The fire chief told Patch that while "happy to get the project underway," he noted that the fire department's headquarters is the most aged and outdated station in town and really requires replacement."

"It is not conducive to the modern fire service, won't accommodate most modern fire apparatus, has no separation between male and female bathrooms or bunkrooms, no training area," Marcarelli listed. "And the public must navigate stairs to the second floor, then pass through the living quarters, locker room, bunk room and kitchen to get to the Chief’s Office to conduct business."

Marcarelli said that the town "needs to seriously look elsewhere to have its fire headquarters that supports the mission but also takes into account response times."

"That is something I’d like to see in my time here as Fire Chief; there have been many starts and stops in the past 30 years; it's time to get it done."