MATTAPOISETT – For the past three years, the town of Mattapoisett has discussed plans for the future of the old fire station at 26 County Road.

Soon, the public may have answers.

Town counsel Matt Thomas called in to the Select Board meeting on Monday, July 25, to discuss the next steps for the building, including putting it on the market in the next couple of months.

Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said that they are hoping to determine the minimum bid this week, and then he will work with Thomas to put together a request for proposals before the Select Board begins soliciting proposals.

They plan to accept bid proposals for 30 days after putting the building on the market.

Lorenco says the current plan is to publish the RFP in August and review bids in September.

The board has the ability to accept or decline any proposal, and Lorenco said that he does not envision the Select Board adding “too many restrictions” on the request for proposals.

The board will decide what to accept based on what comes in, provided it follows the town’s existing bylaws.

Thomas said that because of the way the building sits “kitty corner” on the property, he does not think the new owners could do much if they knocked the building down – in fact, it would add more restrictions.

“There’s zoning bylaws and setbacks based on frontage to the roadway,” said Lorenco. “The building that’s there is grandfathered in because it was built before those bylaws were set. If someone were to tear the building down, building something similar wouldn’t pass current bylaws.”