Completion anticipated for March
By Bob Bumcrot

Construction begins on the Emergency Services Building, due to be completed in March, 2010.

On a dry and cloudy August 28, with coffee, doughnuts and widespread feelings of pride and relief, ground was finally broken for the new Emergency Services Building. “We thank the Building Committee for [more than two and a half] years of hard work in accomplishing a seemingly impossible feat,” said First Selectman Susan Dyer.”  “I’m very proud of the Committee, and also of Norfolk in general for its support,” said Committee chairman Ted Veling. “I’m looking forward to moving into my new quarters,” added Resident State Trooper Greg Naylor, a little later.
The Committee successfully faced a number of objections and financial difficulties, including proposals to construct a single large structure for the Ambulance, Fire Department and Trooper as well as cost overruns for the original design.
Ever the practical, no nonsense leader, Project Coordinator and Ambulance Driver Scott Reeve convened a meeting of the contractors immediately following the ceremonies. Peter Carey, General Manager of Millennium Builders of Rocky Hill, CT, had already visited Penn Lyon Homes Corporation in Selinsgrove, PA, to go over details of the modular building. Modular construction was chosen over the original stick built structure designed by architect Bob Lamson for reasons of cost. “By going modular we will save between one and two hundred thousand dollars in wages,” said Veling.
The modular building is simpler in several ways than the original design. There will be no balcony, the roof line is simpler and more below ground space will be used. Once the site is fully prepared the structure will be erected in a very short time. Interior work can then proceed through the winter weather.
Just over one week following the ceremonies, Sonny Blakeslee and Brant Lafferty of Blakeslee Construction began excavation. Plans to move one of two pine trees to the Town Green as a replacement for the current Christmas tree were considered, but were vetoed by Ambulance Chief and landscape expert Marc Tonan, who found that both trees were diseased.
After the initial grading for the parking area and topsoil removal for the building base, excavation came to a temporary halt. “We are waiting for steel and final concrete details,” said Reeve. “We don’t want to open a big hole too soon, as a safety precaution and to avoid possible rain water delays.” By the third week of September digging for the partial basement was well advanced.
Although this building has the same footprint as the one originally approved by the Norfolk Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z), it was decided that the final design would have to be looked at anew. At its September first meeting P&Z passed a resolution allowing site preparation to proceed at once. At a special meeting on September 22 the entire project, with the new design, was approved unanimously. While delays of various kinds are not unknown in the building trades, Reeve hopes to complete the project by early March.
The early date of the groundbreaking forced the Farmers Market to move to its new site in front of Town Hall one week before receiving formal approval. Additional signs along Route 44 have attracted good crowds to the site, which is not visible from the highway. “The move went well,” said market co-founder Sue Frisch. “The Ambulance people have been very generous and town officials have been very supportive. But we really miss being right on Route 44, and we look forward to returning to the site next spring.” The market will continue where it now is through its last session of this year, on October 31.