BERNARDSTON — Within the next four months, the Bernardston Fire Department will have a concrete vision for expanding the station thanks to a special town meeting vote to fund a feasibility study.
More than 30 Bernardston residents unanimously voted to use $32,400 of the town’s free cash to fund a fire station expansion feasibility study during Wednesday’s meeting.
This was the first article to be addressed during the meeting, which was held at the Bernardston Senior Center within the Powers Institute.
Earlier this year, Bernardston resident Frank “Bud” Foster donated a strip of land to the Fire Department to enable the expansion of the department’s facilities. Members of the Selectboard argued that conducting a feasibility study is the next step toward deciding how to use the property.
Selectboard member Robert Raymond explained that the building could expand to the west, east and north, depending on the results of the study. Fire Chief Peter Shedd added that a separate building could be constructed alongside the existing station, or the existing station could be torn down and replaced altogether.
“Right now, we don’t know what the cost of the building would be,” Selectboard Chairman Andrew Girard said. “We don’t know the best way for it to sit on this plot of land.”
Currently, Selectboard member Stanley Garland said, the fire trucks need to be driven out from the station before the firefighters can hold training or even lay out their hoses to dry. The Selectboard expressed its desire to support the firefighters in developing a building that best suits their needs.
“We have 26 young volunteers that are willing to come to your home and put a fire out when you need them,” Raymond said to the residents. “We need to consider how to provide them with a building that will last 30, 35 years.”
Though residents were all supportive of conducting a study, some asked that those involved in the building’s design and construction be mindful of the new structure’s appearance.
“I know you need space, but if you could make it fit with the other buildings in the area, how nice would that be?” Bernardston resident Joanne Balzarini said. “I hope you don’t get some big, modern building in there.”
The Selectboard expects the study, which will include preliminary drawings, to be completed by Jan. 31. The board approved six members for a new Fire Station Expansion Committee, which will oversee the study, during a 6 p.m. Selectboard meeting: Shedd, Dennis Shockro and Tim Snow of the Fire Department; Bernardston resident Sal Arnone; Jane Dutcher of the Finance Committee; and businessman Scott Digeorge. Shedd recommended Garland as the seventh member, however he could not be appointed Wednesday because of an absence on the Selectboard.