Bidding for the EMS project is underway
MONROE, CT — Burlington Construction Co., the project manager for the renovation and addition of the Monroe Volunteer Emergency Medical Service’s headquarters at 54 Jockey Hollow Road, has put the project out to bid in an effort to find the right contractor.
“We’re promoting local businesses to bid on this,” Town Councilman Terry Rooney, who serves as the building committee chairman, told the council at its meeting Monday night.
Rooney said the committee wants the project to be as local as possible. The bids are due by Feb. 16.
Jacunski Humes Architects designed the building renovation and addition. The project has an Inland Wetlands Commission approval and the Planning and Zoning Commission approved a municipal referral from the Town Council.
Over the years, the ambulance service, which shares space at Jockey Hollow Firehouse, has seen an annual call volume increase, from 900 to 1,500 calls.
The EMS, which has between 45 and 50 members, has outgrown its facility, according to EMS Chief Donald Smith, who has said there is no office space and the classroom, which doubles as volunteers’ dining room, is too small. There is no restroom upstairs and there is an unworkable shower on the lower level, so volunteers have to go home to shower and change, according to Smith.
Aside from more space inside the building, the parking lot would be increased from 20 to 64 spaces.
Monroe student makes the grade
Hunter Smith, of Monroe, has been named to the Dean’s List at Providence College for the Fall 2020 semester.
To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must achieve at least a 3.55 grade point average with a minimum of 12 credits. Smith is a member of the class of 2024.
Old Webb no longer a town road
Town Council members voted to accept a certificate from the state to discontinue Old Webb, a.k.a. Old Stationhouse Road, as a town road Monday.
The small gravel road, off to the right of the driveway for Mondo Septic Services and Construction on Monroe Turnpike, was once part of State Highway 145. It used to lead to a bridge that carried traffic over the Halfway River toward Newtown.
The town acquired the road around 1930, when it was abandoned by the state after Route 34 was built.
Bruce C. Mondo asked the Town Council to discontinue it as a town road, because it separates his properties at 1603 and 1615 Monroe Turnpike, impairing his ability to develop his land.
The winding road leads to a house owned by William and Geralyn Wiley, both are Stevenson firefighters and William was a past chief. It is the couple’s only access to their home, where they’ve lived since 1976.
The couple did not oppose the discontinuance.
Gift bags for your Valentine
The Monroe Women’s Club will deliver gift bags to town addresses from now through Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.
Adult/teen bags are $20 and bags for children, age 4-12, are $15 each. All bags contain three to five seasonal items.
For an order form with more details, click here. Checks payable to Monroe Women’s Club c/o Ambar Picon, should be mailed to 31 Wayne Road, Monroe CT 06468.
The deadline for orders is Feb. 12, 2021. For information, call 203-895-3275 or send an email to [email protected].
Birdseed bells
The Monroe Women’s Club’s Birdseed Bell fundraiser will benefit the Monroe Food Pantry, while feeding local birds over the winter.
Birdseed bells are $15 each and include a whimsical bird ornament for the recipient. The Monroe Women’s Club will deliver the bells to Monroe addresses.
More details are on the order form. The deadline is March 31, 2021. Checks should be made payable to Monroe Women’s Club c/o Veronica Condon and mailed to 9 Stable Ridge Road, Monroe CT 06468.
For information, call 203-331-6662 or send an email to [email protected].
Mishkan Israel food drive
Congregation Mishkan Israel, 77 Mount Pleasant Drive in Trumbull, is seeking volunteers to assemble food packages for distribution to the needy for the Jewish holidays of Purim, Feb. 25-26, and Passover, March 27-April 4.
In a year corresponding to 5781 on the Hebrew calendar, the holidays celebrate the freedom of the ancient Israelites from bondage and commemorate Jewish deliverance. Those wishing to volunteer can contact the congregation at [email protected].
Under the leadership of Rabbi Joseph Torenheim for more than three decades, Mishkan Israel serves the communities of Trumbull, Easton, Fairfield and Monroe, providing spiritual services, youth activities and a summer day camp for children.
