The City of Norwich has responded to claims made by the Taftville Fire Company regarding an eviction notice, asserting that the situation has been misrepresented. The Taftville Fire Company announced on social media that it was being put out of service after 109 years, following what it described as an eviction notice served by state marshals.
City’s Response
In a statement, Norwich officials clarified that the city had communicated to Taftville leadership that volunteers and their equipment could remain at the station and operate alongside career personnel. This offer was made in an email from City Manager John Salomone to Taftville Chief Tim Jencks, but the city reported receiving no response.
Salomone emphasized the city’s commitment to a cooperative workspace to ensure uninterrupted public safety. The city remains open to collaboration with any fire company willing to meet safety benchmarks.
Legal and Safety Concerns
The eviction notice followed Norwich’s application for a temporary injunction in Connecticut Superior Court, seeking access to the city-owned Taftville fire station. City officials cited repeated response failures and staffing shortages at the volunteer fire company, which included missed emergency calls and incidents where the station could not respond due to lack of personnel.
Norwich Fire Chief Samuel Wilson stated that the legal action was necessary to maintain reliable emergency response and retrieve city-owned equipment. The city had engaged in months of negotiations with the volunteer company prior to filing the injunction.
Community Reaction
The Taftville Fire Company expressed gratitude for community support over the years and during recent events. Meanwhile, Norwich Engine-3 has been stationed outside the Taftville facility to ensure continued service.
This situation highlights the challenges and complexities of maintaining volunteer fire services while ensuring public safety, a matter of significant importance to local residents and officials alike.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
