State police firing range will remain in Simsbury

Site will see $2M in upgrades after years of searching elsewhere

HARTFORD — After a statewide search and years of controversy over a new site, Gov. Ned Lamont said Friday that the state police firing range will remain in Simsbury and be improved with $2 million in upgrades.

The State Bond Commission voted unanimously to design and construct the improvements, which include “new flood resistant structures.’’

For years, the Simsbury range has flooded on a regular basis because it is across the street from the Farmington River. The property runs along Nod Road, a relatively narrow street that connects Simsbury and Avon that is often closed in the spring when the river floods.

Because of the flooding, state police began searching years ago for a new site, which became controversial under Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. Various proposals were considered in East Haven, East Windsor, and East Lyme, but two others in rural areas became more prominent.

Neighbors complained bitterly about proposals to put the range in Willington in 2015 and Griswold in 2018. As the controversy gained more public attention, Lamont made a campaign promise during the 2018 race for governor that he would drop the 113-acre site in Griswold if he became governor.

The Griswold range would have been built on private property near a state forest, but neighbors complained about the potential noise. The current range is within hearing distance of expensive homes in both Simsbury and Avon.

Even though many sites were considered, Lamont said, “Right now, I think we thought we could make the Simsbury range workable for our state police.’’

Lamont’s budget director, Melissa McCaw, said the state will be making “the minimal level of investment’’ to keep the range operational in the near term with

“an immediate infusion of funds’’ tocombattheflooding.

The long-term needs of the state police are “still under discussion,’’ but “we know for certain that immediate actions need to take place,’’ McCaw said, adding that contractors will be in place as soon as possible. “Are they going to be there tomorrow? No, but it’s certainly a top priority.’’

Brian J. Foley, the chief spokesman for the state police, said that Simsbury is currently the best option.

During the controversy, state police have said the range had become unsuitable.

“Even when rainfall is

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