Administrative offices for the Shelton Fire Department are moving to White Street.
But one alderman still has his sights set on 470 Howe Ave.
Thursday, Alderman John “Jack” Finn pulled out some Robert’s Rules of Order specifics at the Board of Aldermen meeting to stall movement on the sale of 470 Howe Ave.
The item was on the agenda so aldermen could vote whether to seek an appraisal on the property – the next step in a long process to sell city property.
“I’m trying to prevent it from being sold so it could be used for fire services,” Finn said after the meeting.
The item was tabled while the city counsel researches whether it was legitimately placed on Thursday’s agenda.
Fire Offices
The fire department had initially expressed interest in using the city-owned building on Howe Avenue for offices and possibly a training center.
But last month Fire Chief Francis Jones sent a letter to Mayor Mark Lauretti indicated the department’s new plans.
“There’s an entire second floor that will be dedicated to the fire department administration and the Office of Emergency Management,” Jones said of the new space above the Shelton Probate Court in a city-owned building on White Street.
“It will suit our needs for the foreseeable future,” Jones said. “It’s just a matter of moving desks and getting it wired for internet access and telephone access.”
The fire chief and fire commissioners currently work out of city hall.
Eventually the plan is to house those offices with the Echo Hose fire company in a new facility that would also include space for training, Jones said.
The current Echo Hose fire house doesn’t have enough space, Jones said.
For Sale?
The Howe Avenue building, which used to house the police department and the Naugatuck Valley Health District office, is one of several the city has been looking at possibly selling.
The sale process for city property is long and involves input from several different city boards and commissions.
Aldermen initially voted against moving forward with a possible sale, but at a later meeting revoked that decision.
Then, in September, the board failed to approve a motion to get an appraisal on the property because two members were absent , which left them without a simple majority.
Board of Aldermen President John Anglace put the item back on the agenda for Thursday to try again.
279 Soundview
The board voted Thursday to move forward with the sale of a portion of 279 Soundview Ave., overriding a recommendation by the Planning and Zoning commission from the summer.
Like the 470 Howe Ave. building, the Soundview Avenue property sale process has been laced with procedural complication. (Read about it here.)
After an independent appraisal is performed on each property, if aldermen still want to sell the land, they will hold a public hearing on each property.
