Following discussion at a March 8 session, Borough Zoning Commission (BZC) members, in an informal vote, recommended 4-1 to the borough zoning enforcement officer that she not issue a zoning compliance certificate to the privately-owned Danbury Ambulance Service, Inc, apparently blocking that firm's attempt to acquire a vacant former ambulance garage at 77 Main Street to house its ambulances.February Session

In making that recommendation, BZC members interpreted applicable borough zoning regulations, determining that the paramedic staffing service that Danbury Ambulance provides to the Town of Newtown does not qualify as a "municipal" service under the terms of the zoning regulations, and thus Danbury Ambulance should not receive a zoning compliance certificate.

Recommending against issuing a zoning compliance certificate to Danbury Ambulance were BZC Chairman Douglas Nelson, Brid Craddock, Lucy Emerson Sullivan, and Michael Guman. Member David Francis dissented from that view.

At a February 8 BZC session, Danbury Ambulance President Joseph DeSimone had asked that the borough zoners issue a zoning compliance certificate for 77 Main Street so that the firm could use the building for its ambulance operations.

Mr DeSimone attended the March 8 session, but did not speak on the zoning issue. Later attempts to reach Mr DeSimone for comment on the matter were unsuccessful.

It is unclear if Danbury Ambulance will pursue other avenues in seeking to acquire the space for ambulance operations. The firm could pursue the matter with the Borough Zoning Board of Appeals. The firm also could submit proposed new zoning regulations to the BZC which, if approved by the BZC, would allow the firm to apply to use it as an ambulance garage.

Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps formerly used 77 Main Street for its operations. In the fall of 2014, the ambulance corps moved from its garage at that location, where it had been stationed for decades, to new facilities at Fairfield Hills.

Before it was used as ambulance garage, the building had served a gas station/auto repair shop for decades, resulting in the site becoming contaminated. Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association, Inc, which owns the 1.49-acre property, has removed residual pollution from the site to the extent that the property is now usable for commercial purposes, but not usable as a residential property. The site has R-1 (Residential) zoning.

Town Director of Planning George Benson had strongly recommended that the BZC approve Danbury Ambulance's request for a zoning compliance certificate for this address for ambulance use.

Danbury Ambulance sought the zoning compliance certificate so that it could buy the building from Newtown Volunteer Ambulance and then use the structure for ambulance operations.

In February, Mr DeSimone had explained to the BZC that Danbury Ambulance, which is under contract to provide paramedic services to the town, has a paramedic SUV stationed at the Fairfield Hills ambulance facility. However, there are times when a second paramedic is required locally and that paramedic must then travel to Newtown from Danbury, he said.

Having a second paramedic SUV stationed at 77 Main Street would result in a faster response to local emergencies, he said. Besides that paramedic SUV, Danbury Ambulance would station two ambulances at the facility, plus some Danbury Ambulance staff members, he then said.

Mr DeSimone had said that the vehicles stationed at 77 Main Street would be used only on Newtown ambulance calls. Danbury ambulance sometimes provides backup ambulances for Newtown calls.

However, BZC members then described some Main Street residents' sensitivity about the presence of ambulances and related emergency siren noise in that area.

Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association handles financial and business matters. Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps provides ambulance staffing.