Design team says fire station schematic is near the $55 million town‑approved budget; public forum set for mid‑July

Designers presented the schematic design and an initial cost estimate for the proposed town fire station and reported the SD estimate is roughly $85,000 under the $55 million approved at town meeting. The team said it will move into design development (DD) to refine materials, systems and soft costs and to reconcile the designer’s and an outside cost estimate.

Why it matters: The new station is a major capital project that will affect traffic on Eldridge Parkway, the town’s capital plan and tax expectations. The SD presentation laid out program, materials options and a timeline that will determine when the town must make binding decisions about scope and budget.

Project status and cost: A project presenter said the schematic design estimate was received last week and is ‘‘right on budget’’—about $85,000 less than the $55 million number approved at town meeting. The team attributed the reduction from earlier $60 million estimates to the purchase of an additional parcel (avoiding temporary/alternate entrances), simplification of portions of the design (more flat‑roof area in the apparatus bay) and clarified soils borings that reduced contingency assumptions. The presenters said soft costs are about $9.3 million and will be narrowed during DD.

Design and program highlights: Architect Paulo Karissimi (Galante Architecture Studio) showed a two‑volume building—living quarters with a gable roof and an apparatus bay with a flat roof—linked by a connector. The schematic includes solar arrays on roof and a solar canopy for an outbuilding, an apron and truck maneuvering island, staff and public entrances, a training tower and a mezzanine. Karissimi described a zoning strategy for interior air handling to separate a ‘hot’ garage/vehicle area from ‘cold’ living areas to limit cross‑contamination from vehicle exhaust and carcinogens.

Scale and systems: The team described the gross building area as about 49,000 square feet and identified optional premium items currently included in the estimate—ground‑source heat pump and rooftop photovoltaic arrays. The team said DD will examine tradeoffs and value‑engineering options for systems, materials and site work.

Schedule and next steps: The team said it is at the end of the schematic design phase and intends to complete design development by the end of September, produce reconciled cost estimates in that window, follow with construction documents and permitting, bid the project, and target a mid‑2027 start of construction with about a year of build time. The design team will refine elevations and materials and hold a public forum (targeting July 14 or 15) with in‑person and online access so residents can comment on appearance and materials.

Procedure and record: The committee approved routine minutes for prior meetings during the session and set tentative upcoming meeting dates. The team will review a separate letter about AI‑related wiring with consultants and the committee before making design changes.

What’s next: The design team will continue DD work, reconcile the two cost estimates, refine soft costs and equipment pricing, and return with updated cost and material recommendations after community outreach and consultant reviews.