Feb. 26--SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP -- The Saybrook Township trustees plan to reopen the Carpenter Road fire station Saturday.
The station has been housing Water Rescue Services, which has a part-time commander and vice-commander along with about 12 volunteer members. This service now will be housed at Station 3 on Sanborn Road.
Plans now call for renovations and expansion to Saybrook Fire Station No. 2, at 4986 Carpenter Road, Trustee Norman Jepson said.
"There is no increase in manpower; we are putting an ambulance and one fire truck there," he said. "We are attempting to increase response time to the condos and apartments on that side of the township."
The main fire station is at 5714 North Ridge West, just east of Depot Road.
Trustee Jane Hawn-Jackson has said a staffed fire station on Carpenter Road is necessary because 50 percent of the township residents live north of the CSX railroad tracks, north of Route 20.
Fire Chief John Jyurovat said the railroad crossing is busy and can hold up emergency workers during a call.
In addition to reopening the fire station, the township also is renting the house across the street, near Phil's Catering, to use as living quarters for the personnel -- two firefighters, he said.
The additional station will cost the township about $14,000 a year, Jepson said.
The move has been in the works for about four years, according to Saybrook Township trustee meeting minutes.
Trustee Bob Brobst believed it was important for the safety of residents.
Jyurovat said the trustees worked hard to make this work because they were concerned about the response time to Lake Road.
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