Fire station working group proposes primary station on Weston middle school land

WESTON -- December 16, 2024, Weston School Committee weighs fire station on middle school land alongside campus rebuild study. Select Board Chair Tom Palmer, co-chair of the Fire Station Working Group, told the committee Dec. 16 that a three-acre parcel near the middle school entrance scored highest among roughly 14 reviewed sites for a new 23,000-square-foot primary station, replacing a 2023 plan to rebuild both existing stations for just under $60 million. Member Ken reported the district's high school/middle school feasibility study, led by Lavallee-Brensinger, is targeting a fall 2025 final report after Weston was not selected in the first MSBA round; F-wing roof replacement alone cost over $1.5 million for 12,800 square feet. Health and Wellness Director Mitch Finnegan presented 2023 MetroWest survey results showing depressive symptoms down to 14 percent at both schools from 18 and 21 percent in 2021, though 70 percent of high school drinkers reported binge drinking. The FY26 superintendent's budget was pushed one week to Jan. 13, with a final vote March 10.