The Proposed Site

HOW THESE SITES WERE CHOSEN

Town Staff identified and evaluated a range of potential sites across the community based on baseline criteria such as size, location, and access. After evaluating a total of eight sites in detail, the FS1 Steering Committee selected three as the most feasible options based on the operational needs and size requirements of a modern fire station.

The FS1 Steering Committee recommended the former Deerfield Elementary School property as the preferred FS1 location during a meeting on August 7.

The three finalist locations were chosen and evaluated based on the following criteria:

Impact on current fire operations, Town Meeting, and purchase approval requirements, lot size, and other construction concerns.

Logistics

Ability to meet programmatic needs and accommodate station facilities, including front-line apparatus, a Maintenance Bay, and drive-through bays.

Site Viability

Level of direct access to High Street, response time from the property, and potential disruptions to vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

Access

Site topography, environmental constraints, access to existing utilities, and impact on town fields, recreation, and open spaces

Lot Restrictions

72 Deerfield Avenue

Build new facility and relocate Fire Station 1 operations to lot on Deerfield Avenue.

Site Details

Lot Size
Benefits
Previously Identified Challenges

7.5 acres

  • Does not require off-site temporary fire operations

  • Highly accommodating to front line apparatus, training spaces, maintenance bay, and drive-through bays

  • Access to existing utilities (water, electric, etc.) in place

  • Minimal lot restrictions

  • Offers multiple vehicle access to and from station (may impact response times)

  • Large lot size affords opportunity to locate FS1 in NW corner without requiring demolition of the former school building

    • Also allows for possible field replication, albeit with a small reduction in total field acreage

  • Access road from property to High Street needs to be evaluated - Proposed Solution: Site plans call for the Fire Department to use the existing Police Department access road to go to High Street.

  • Likely require relocation or demolition of the modulars behind the former Deerfield School - Proposed Solution: Modulars would be demolished, and Westwood Media Center, which is occupying the modulars, would be relocated to within the former Deerfield School (school building would not be demolished).

  • Reduces access to town fields and recreation/open space - Proposed Solution: Site plans propose renovating the existing fields to accommodate two softball fields along with additional potential configurations. Community walking paths would be maintained. The site plans also call for adding parking at the Westwood Public Library, which would serve visitors to this recreation area. The FS1 Recreation Fields Advisory Subgroup will be studying this through the fall and winter.

Read more about Deerfield

100% Schematic Design Plans