Norfolk’s First Selectman Matt Riiska is planning a town vote on the new firehouse for early November. If approved, the town would then immediately solicit bids from construction companies with the hope of breaking ground in the Spring of 2025.

“The earlier we can get on their schedules the better off we will be,” said Riiska.

Norfolk is looking to replace its 50-year-old firehouse off Shepard Road with a new building that is bigger and designed to comply with modern building codes.

The town is bracing for a price tag that could come in at around $800 a square foot—or approximately $8 million for the proposed 10,000-square-foot building. Given the volatility in construction costs, however, the actual price could be higher or even lower. 

Last month the town retained a firm that does construction management and budgeting to prepare a detailed cost projection. Once that is completed, sometime in September, the town will look at financing options.

The state of Connecticut has committed $2.5 million to Norfolk and the town is hoping for another $1.5 million from the federal government. Private donations and bond financing would cover the rest.