BERNARDSTON — After receiving costly preliminary estimates for building a new fire station at two prospective sites, the Fire Station Expansion Committee hopes to negotiate lower property prices.
During a Tuesday meeting, the committee reviewed an order of magnitude cost table submitted by Brattleboro engineering and architecture firm Stevens & Associates. The firm compared the 1 Brattleboro Road lot, which could possibly be combined with a lot at 12 Church St., and the 23 Kringle Drive property.
The firm estimated the total project cost at 23 Kringle Drive would be $3,801,000, just $68,000 more than the total project cost at 1 Brattleboro Road and 12 Church St., which would be $3,733,000. However, the actual costs could vary significantly, as much as 30 percent more or less.
Originally, the committee had just been comparing the 1 Brattleboro Road property with the 23 Kringle Drive property. Land acquisition costs vary drastically, with the 1.28-acre Brattleboro Road lot costing $178,500 and the 5.62-acre Kringle Drive lot costing $709,000, once closing costs are factored in.
However, Bernardston Fire Chief Peter Shedd said that if the committee decided on the Brattleboro Road property, and still needed more land, Bernardston resident Frank “Bud” Foster would be willing to donate his property at 12 Church St. Foster confirmed this, though no decision has been made yet concerning the property, where Foster said he also rents space to two families.
With the two figures to consider, the Fire Station Expansion Committee decided to try to negotiate lower land acquisition prices, and called an executive session.
“We’ve got to try and control the dollar amount,” Shedd told The Recorder.
Given the projected $68,000 difference in costs, the majority of the committee hoped to purchase the Kringle Drive lot, which would fit what Stevens & Associates’ architects have called a “bells and whistles” layout with nearly 9,000 square feet and eight apparatus bays. The lot also offers greater possibilities for expansion.
Furthermore, Shedd said the governing body of the Fire Department called the Board of Engineers, which is made up of firefighters, voted to pursue the Kringle Drive lot as their first choice.
However, committee members Stanley Garland, who is also a selectman, and Jane Dutcher, who is also chairwoman of the Finance Committee, said most of the residents they’ve spoken to want to keep the Fire Department in the center of town.
“I think, personally, it’s not going to pass on Kringle Drive,” said Dutcher, referring to the article the committee hopes to have on the annual town meeting warrant outlining the final design, funding and land purchase. “People like things in the center of town.”
Garland said he hopes to hear more public feedback, to gain a better understanding of how residents might vote at town meeting. The Fire Station Expansion Committee will meet again on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. in Town Hall.