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:

Logistics

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

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

Photo of the former Deerfield Elementary School at 72 Deerfield Ave

72 Deerfield Avenue

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

Site Details

7.5 acres

Lot Size

  • 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

Benefits

  • Access road from property to High Street needs to be evaluated

  • Likely require relocation or demolition of the modulars behind the former Deerfield School

  • Reduces access to town fields and recreation/open space

Challenges
Read more about Deerfield

50% Schematic Design Plans

Below are the 50% Schematic Design Plans presented to the FS1 Advisory and Community Engagement Committee on August 24, 2026.