Initial design for new Rochester fire station approaches finalization

ROCHESTER — After receiving approval for $55,000 worth of funding for site work at the Rochester Special Town Meeting, the new fire station is now a step closer to finalizing initial design work.

An update on the site work and design process was presented to the Rochester Select Board at a meeting on Monday, March 3.

Town Administrator Cameron Durant led meeting attendees and the Select Board through an abridged version of the public safety feasibility study, architectural design and planning and specific considerations for the construction laid out by the Rochester Public Safety Building Committee.

“It recognizes the need for a new fire station at 59 Hartley Road due to lack of modern safety standards,” said Durant of the feasibility study.

The current fire station building has an apparatus bay that is too narrow and short, lack of proper ventilation where firefighters live and work and lack of ADA compliance within the building, according to Durant’s summary.

The Rochester Public Safety Building Committee is currently working with Catalyst Architecture and Interiors to assess what is necessary for a modern fire station that is going to meet the town’s needs for the “best possible value.”

Specific additions include proper decontamination spaces and equipment to properly clean gear and reduce exposure to cancerous chemicals, specialized ventilation systems, living quarters to accommodate 24-hour emergency personnel, dedicated fitness areas and training spaces.

Other site specific considerations include a sizable cistern for fire suppression due to the station’s lack of municipal water access, a large underground propane tank due to lack of gas service and an emergency generator in case of power outages.

In addition to creating more modern features within the new fire station, there are IT and security measures that must be added as they are "necessary for a public entity.”

“Not only is it appropriate to take care of our first responders but it’s a necessity,” said Durant.

A rough schematic of the site work design is currently being prepared by the Fire Department, Public Safety Building Committee and Catalyst Architecture and Interiors. 

In terms of financial cost of construction and design, Durant says “the design has not been fully implemented and established and agreed upon by the committee in order to determine cost.”

Once the design is finalized, it will be easier to determine specific costs going forward.

“Once we have the design with the estimated cost, then we can look at methods of construction,” said Chair of the Public Safety Building Committee Arnold Johnson.

The proposal of this initial design will be presented at the Public Safety Building Committee’s next meeting on Thursday, March 13.