Weston officials urge Town Meeting to approve $1.5 million fire station design

WESTON — November 28, 2023 — Weston officials pitch $1.5 million fire station design appropriation ahead of Nov. 28 Special Town Meeting. Select Board member Chris Houston and Permanent Building Committee Chair Jim Palando, in a Weston Media Center video, urged support for Article 9, which funds the next design phase after a Tecton-led feasibility study produced a conceptual plan estimated at $50 million to $60 million for both stations. The $1.5 million breaks down to a $1.088 million Tecton fee, $222,000 for an owner's project manager, $100,000 for environmental testing, and $120,000 for survey and borings. Palando said the department needs roughly 41,000 square feet but operates in about 26,000 — "woefully short." Houston said "doing nothing is not really a good option," noting Finance Committee and Select Board concerns will drive a fresh look at the concept before schematic designs are presented at a future town meeting.