Next Steps for Firehouse Project

By Adam Swift

Town Council President Jim Letterie laid out the next steps in the construction of a new fire station at last week’s council meeting.

Voters approved a $38.5-million debt exclusion for the new fire station at the site of the old middle school on Pauline Street earlier this month.

“That night (of the vote), we had been working on drafting an RFQ (request for qualifications); the first process is getting an owner’s project manager onboard to lead this project with us,” said Letterie.

That RFQ was released last week and will be out until May 1, he added.

“Ultimately, the town manager will pick an OPM,” said Letterie. “The town manager will be working with the Firehouse Building Committee to get input to make sure there is some uniformity there. Once the OPM is onboard … one of the first things we will ask for is a timeline, and we will present that timeline to the public.”

Residents could see some work on the site with the demolition of the middle school and auditorium as early as the fall. The gymnasium and ice rink will remain on the site.

“There are also some things the town is preparing to do in terms of Parks and Rec,” said Letterie.

That department is currently housed in the old middle school, so Letterie said it is a priority to make sure they have space for the summer and fall. He said the long-term goal is to provide space for the parks and recreation department in the gymnasium.

As the fire station project moves forward, Letterie said there the firehouse building committee will hold multiple public hearings to gather feedback on the designs and plans.

“We will be going through the process to look to put out bids for an architect to see who we end up with,” said Letterie. “Kaestle and Boos has done a lot of work for us over the past couple of years, but we have the ability to go out again just to take a look.”

Members of the building committee and fire department will also go out to visit other new fire stations in surrounding communities.

“We want to make sure we are doing the right thing,” said Letterie. “We want to be quick, but not to rush, and we want to make sure we come in in or under budget.”

Letterie said the town council is also accepting letters of interest from anyone who wants to serve on a fire station reuse committee. That committee will look at potential future uses for the two current stations on Pauline Street and Shirley Avenue.

Anyone who is interested is encouraged to email the town council or the town clerk.