Three Proposed Sites

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EXISTING FIRE STATION
72 DEERFIELD AVE
Parcel 14-131 
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.

These locations have been 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

Aerial view of a building with a flat roof, surrounding parking lot with cars, and emergency vehicles including fire trucks parked nearby. 
Site One

Existing Fire Department

Rebuild Fire Station 1 on the existing lot at 637 High Street.

Site Details

Challenges

1.02 Acres

Lot Size

  • Direct access to High Street

  • No property purchase required

  • Minimal disruption to pedestrian and vehicle traffic

  • Minimal impact on town fields and recreation/open spaces

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

  • Location is familiar to the Town and residents as a Fire Station

Benefits

  • Requires temporary fire operations during construction

  • Lot size inadequate to accommodate drive-through bays

  • Less conducive to housing maintenance bay, front line apparatus, and training space

  • Less desirable lot topography

  • Site limits potential expansion in the future if needed

Aerial view of a school with a baseball field and football field, surrounded by residential neighborhoods with streets named Gay Street, High Street, and Deerfield Avenue. 
Site Two

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)

Benefits

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

  • May requires selective demolition to the existing Deerfield school

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

  • Reduces access to town fields and recreation/open space

Challenges
Aerial view of a residential area with streets named High Street, Ford Street, Russell Avenue, and Deerfield Avenue. The image shows a large wooded lot outlined in yellow surrounded by smaller properties and houses. 
Site Three

Parcel 14-131

Build new facility and relocate Fire Station 1 operations to town-owned property behind 736–738 High Street.

Site Details

5 acres

Lot Size

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

  • Does not require off-site temporary fire operations

  • Minimal impact on town fields

  • Minimal lot restrictions

Benefits

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

  • Could require Town Meeting approval for purchase of property to access High Street

  • Reduces access to nearby recreation areas and trails

  • Single road access to High Street

Challenges