In anticipation of the upcoming annual town meeting and subsequent election, the Edgartown Fire Department will host an open house Sunday, April 2, to discuss plans for the town’s proposed fire station rebuild.
The replacement building at 68 Peases Point Way South is intended to alleviate a number of issues the department faces with the current structure. A 2019 feasibility study identified a list of deficiencies that have impacted routine departmental operations.
The proposed station’s footprint will be roughly double the size of the current one, and will be more capable of accommodating the fire department’s needs, particularly in that it will provide much-needed space for training.
The project also calls for the construction of a three-bay garage and auxiliary space behind the station, which will also be utilized by the police department next door.
On April 11, Edgartown voters will be asked to consider a warrant article that would appropriate $21.5 million to the project, which will fund the design, construction, equipping, and furnishing of the new station. A two-thirds vote is required.
Approval will also be needed at election day on April 14, where voters will take up a ballot question that requests an exemption from the provisions of proposition 2½ in order to cover costs of the project.
At a previous select board meeting, Edgartown Fire Chief Alex Schaeffer highlighted the need for community engagement when it comes to the project, acknowledging its high cost.
“It’s an important project for the community,” he had said. “I know everybody wants to see it fit the character of the town. We respect everyone’s interest in the project, and want to make sure that people have the information to make an informed decision.”
Sunday’s open house runs from 12 to 4 pm, and will give voters an opportunity to tour the existing station. Department officers and staff will be on hand to answer questions.
This whole plan sounds outrageous and feels like it’s being pushed down our throats. I like to think I follow all the towns interest fairly closely and have seen very very little discussion about this issue. To hold one public meeting less than two weeks before voting on a $22 million project is just a bridge too far for the Edgartown Tax payer to cross. The craziness of individual town spending is Ludacris. When are we gonna start regionalizing these departments?
The Cape and Islands Regional Public Safety Services headquartered in Barnstable Village?
But seriously, a vast amount of fire fighting on the Island is performed by volunteers.
Regionalization is pretty much a volunteer killer.
How much more will going with professionals increase the the cost of fire protection on the Island?
I somewhat agree with you, but democracy is not a spectator sport. This topic has been in many public meetings.
The first I heard of any discussion of this was back in December, and never noticed any public meetings other than a working group was established. As far as I can tell other than a brief notice to selectmen a week or so ago this is the first chance for the public to really see what they came up with. To decide on how to spend $22 million in a short four months it’s just a little too fast for this Yankee. We will see what the other spectators do on April 11 & 13th.
Those who are politically aware have known for some time.
Did you volunteer for the working group?
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