For Immediate Release

Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-841-9948
Email: john@jgpr.net

Maynard Fire Department Moving Forward with Plans for New Station

MAYNARD — Town Administrator Kevin Sweet and Fire Chief Anthony Stowers report that plans for the construction of a new Maynard Fire Station continue to move forward.

The Town worked with Dore & Whittier, a Newburyport architectural firm, beginning in July of 2015, to determine the feasibility of either renovating the existing fire station, located at 1 Summer St., or whether constructing a new building elsewhere would be more practical.  The result of this study concluded that, although the station can be renovated, this was not the best option for the long-term benefit of Maynard.

The Board of the Selectmen also assembled the Fire Station Building Committee to determine if there was a suitable location for a new facility, and to generate funding ideas.

Committee members include Chairman Ron Calabria, Chairman of the Board of Selectman Chris DiSilva, Selectman David Gavin, Town Administrator Sweet, Assistant Town Administrator Andrew Scribner-MacLean, Fire Chief Stowers, Finance Committee Member Nathan Ulrich, former Finance Committee Member Dan Costello, Fire Capt. Sean Kiley, Aaron Miklosko, Director of the Department of Public Works, and residents Josh Morse, Tim Lawton and Phil McCully.

The committee has been meeting since May, and in its initial step, posted an RFP for anyone interested in selling land to the town for the purpose of building a fire station. During this process, Assistant Town Administrator Scribner-MacLean proposed a financing plan that coincides with expected growth in the community that would not impact taxes.

Members have reviewed 15 potential sites thus far and are awaiting final results of the RFP process on Nov. 10. Although there is no final site selection yet, the committee is looking at Crowe Park, a portion of land on Sudbury Street owned by Mill & Main, and the current fire station location. Although the current location remains on the list, it is a fallback site, as the study pointed out this location is less desirable.

The committee is expected to submit a report with recommendations to the Board of Selectmen in January at a special town meeting. There, officials will also discuss contracting a project manager.

“The committee is working hard to build a fire station that fits the needs of the community today and tomorrow, without putting an undue burden on the taxpayers,” said Building Chairman Calabria. “We appreciate the public’s support as we continue to move forward in this process and look forward to sharing our findings during the meeting in January.”

Anyone with questions regarding the new station should contact Chief Stowers at 978-897-1016 or Town Administrator Sweet at 978-897-1375.

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