A new stationed eyed for Stoneham Fire
Published on October 2nd, 2002
STONEHAM, MA - The Fire Station Committee has been reviewing possible new locations for a future home for the fire department with a full report due at October Town Meeting.
Committee member Anthony Kennedy said the process is moving along just fine thanks to their design firm, the McGuire Group, who has come up with four proposed locations. Kennedy said the conditions they stressed to McGuire in determining the future location was cost to tax payers and a priority on town owned land so that land taking would not be an issue. “We didn’t want a design that laid a heavy burden on tax payers or took private property,” said Kennedy.
One proposed location would be at the present location which would have to be knocked down to accommodate a larger five-bay garage extended to either the left or the right of the current building. A larger fire station erected at its current location would have to claim some of Emerson Street or a portion of the park on the left hand side of the building, according to Kennedy.
Another location that is being considered concerning costs and practicality, is the old Central School. Even though the school department has control of the property, the town does own it, hence land taking would not be an issue. “There is no presumption that this location can be used,” said Kennedy. “We are looking at town owned property.” Kennedy said that two other sites are being reviewed for the costs of assuming different private properties along Main Street. “These locations would obviously be more expensive because the property would have to be purchased,” said Kennedy. Kennedy declined to identify those private properties being considered.
Committee member and fire fighter John Scullin said only locations within one-half mile of the center of town are being considered, as mandated by the town charter.
Scullin said a new building is needed yesterday, as the current building is outdated and undersized. The large ladder truck needed to protect Stoneham residents has scraped the round shaped doors in the garage, resulting in significant damage to the truck and the building. Scullin estimates that repairs to the ladder truck has cost between $10,000 and $15,000. To repair the new fire truck, Scullin said it has to be brought outside so that the cab can be tilted up to access the engine, regardless of weather conditions.
A report on the locations and projected costs will be read at Town Meeting. Kennedy said that depending on the feedback from Town Meeting, they may be in a position to request funds at the spring Town Meeting for design plans. With a 2% bond rate, he thinks the time may be right for this project. “The sooner the better, and the sooner the cheaper,” said Kennedy. Although current fiscal forecasts for the state budget are bleak, with potential truck repair bills and inflation, costs will be lower the sooner the fire department is built.
McGuire Group estimated an 18 to 24 month construction timeline for the proposed facility. First the committee will have to recommend a site to the town boards. It will then have to be approved by the Finance Committee, Advisory Board, the Board of Selectmen and finally Town Meeting.
The fire department have had a tough time getting by so far with their present facility. They received funds almost ten years ago to shore up the floor so that the fire trucks will be safe in the building. “Hopefully people will see the need and agree that we need this,” said Kennedy.
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