Weston Fire Station Group Orders Bare-Minimum Cost Options for Town Meeting

WESTON — April 30, 2025 — Weston's Fire Station Working Group acknowledged its $53 million two-station plan may not pass Town Meeting as currently conceived. At the April 30 remote meeting, Co-Chair Tom Palmer directed Tecton Architects and Vertex to return with a bare-bones $5 million scenario for the central station renovation and a $30 million option for the primary Wellesley Street superstation — framed not as alternatives but as a demonstration of trade-offs. The primary station's bid estimate stands at $28.7 million in construction costs, with total project costs reaching roughly $38 million; the central station renovation is estimated at $15 million. Members including Carl Stjernfeldt and Steve Larocque said the plan "will not" pass as presently conceived, while Jim Polando argued it could with Finance Committee backing. Kevin Sullivan cautioned against chasing a "magic cost number," saying the group needed to "focus on messaging the responsible minimum." Palmer will develop a presentation schedule for the Select Board, Finance Committee, and Planning Board before the next meeting on May 12.