Weston Fire Station Group Locks In Two Sites, Sets December Report Deadline

WESTON — September 8, 2025 — Weston's Fire Station Working Group formally eliminated all alternative sites and set a December deadline for its final report. Co-Chair Tom Palmer led the September 8 joint session with the Select Board, during which the group reached consensus that the 487 Wellesley Street Chapter 61 parcel — flagged earlier this year as a possible acquisition — is not viable, citing a 200-foot riverfront setback that leaves only 1.3 usable acres, an MWRA aqueduct easement, unknown septic capacity, and potential historic barn complications. Architect Rebecca Hopkins of Tecton Architects confirmed no other Chapter 61 properties on the town's list warrant outreach. The group will now focus exclusively on a new primary station at the middle school site and a secondary station at the existing town center location, with a construction cost range of roughly $30 million to $35 million for the primary station and an allowance of $1 million to $2 million for near-term maintenance at the town center. A programmatic needs-versus-wants review is scheduled for October 6, with the final report targeted for delivery to the Select Board by end of December and a potential design-funds request — estimated at $3 million to $4 million — at the spring 2026 Annual Town Meeting.