Weston fire group orders outside GIS study, opens alternative-site review

WESTON — February 5, 2024 — Weston Fire Station Working Group widens search beyond two-station rebuild. At its Feb. 5 meeting the group directed Tecton Architects and consultant H2M to produce a GIS analysis of roughly 10 years of fire-call data, including heat maps showing where the town meets both current response performance and the NFPA 1710 standard. Chair Tom and member Bharat framed the requirements so that current response time is the "need" and NFPA 1710 is the "want." Architect Steve urged parallel vetting of 10 to 12 alternative building sites, arguing phased rehab of Center Station is a major driver of the existing feasibility study's roughly $1,000-per-square-foot cost and possibly a $60 million-plus total. "I'm just not sold on a significant redevelopment of a building like Central Station," he said. Fire Chief Jonathan Wood confirmed walk-in medical emergencies arrive at Center Station "maybe one every couple of weeks." Next meetings: Feb. 26, March 11, March 25.