Finance Committee previews $500,000 fire engine and $7.7 million Case House articles

WESTON -- September 20, 2018, Weston Finance Committee previews $500,000 fire engine and $7.7 million Case House renovation for November warrant. Fire Chief David Soar told the committee a partially built replacement engine, sourced from the department's Attleboro-based manufacturer for about $500,000, could arrive by February, saving roughly $250,000 against last year's $750,000 custom truck, after calcium chloride corrosion separated the laminated frame of an 11-year-old front-line engine. School Business Administrator Danielle Black and project manager Jim Orlando then presented 90 percent design drawings for Case House at roughly $7.7 million total and $6.4 million in construction cost, about $377 per square foot for the 17,000-square-foot historic building. Member John Henry pressed whether a new building near 9,000 square feet could deliver the same office program for less, calling the project largely "historic restoration" rather than office space for 28 employees. No votes were taken; positions will be set Oct. 18.