The new Oak Bluffs fire/EMS station moved one step closer to reality this week when renovations began at the Oak Bluffs highway department barn on County Rd., which will temporarily house the fire department during construction of the new station.
“It’s very exciting,” capital improvements committee chairman Bill McGrath told The Times. “I made the argument for the money at town meeting and to see it approved and to see it come to fruition is very satisfying. From my perspective, the town’s improved bond rating is very important since it will lower interest rates for this and other capital improvements.”
Mr. McGrath said it’s taken at least five years, possibly more, to bring the new fire station to this point. “There were a lot of fits and starts,” he said. “But with the new administration, new selectmen, and the passing of the financial crisis, we got it done.”
The new 20,250-square-foot station will be built on the site of the existing 8,413-square-foot station on Wing Road. The work, which is being done by Cape Building Systems of Mattapoisett, is due to be completed in November. Demolition of the existing fire/EMS station is also scheduled to begin in November. The EMS and administrative services will be housed in a separate building on Barnes Road.
