Page 8 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021 Northeast Metro Tech students help with renovation of historic Stoneham Fire Station WAKEFIELD – Stoneham Fire Chief Matthew Grafton and Superintendent David DiBarri of Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School (Northeast Metro Tech) recently announced a collaboration between the Stoneham Fire Department and Northeast Metro Tech. Approximately 30 students from the plumbing, electrical, carpentry and HVAC programs will be working at the 105-yearold fi re station for the next few months in order to help renovate and update the space. Students will work in groups of fi ve in order to comply with COVID-19 guidelines. The work will consist of renovating a second fl oor to accommodate the needs of the department, relocating the kitchen to the second fl oor and turning the former kitchen space into a gear storage room – and various other small projects, such as replacing the wheelchair ramp at the front of the building. These projects will help to upgrade the space, as well as increase health and safety conditions at the facility for members of the department. Currently, the kitchen is located right off the apparatus floor and gear is stored nearby as well. Creating this separation of the working and living areas will help to reduce this risk of exposing fi refi ghters to carcinogens left on gear before it is washed and cleaned after being worn and used for a call. The bathroom renovation will help to fi x plumbing leaks and repair the dilapidated bathroom to provide an upgraded space for fi refi ghters to use. To ensure the work maintained the historic nature of the building, Grafton presented the plans to the Massachusetts Historical Commission, which approved the plans. “It’s a win-win for everyone,” Grafton said. “The students learn from their experience, the fi re department has a healthier work environment and taxpayers are able to save a signifi cant amount of money by not having to pay the cost of labor. We greatly appreciate Northeast Metro Tech for helping us and are happy to help them gain this experience. This work wouldn’t be possible without them.” The group initially began working on the project in early 2020, but had to pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. AlNortheast Metro Tech students repaired the ramp outside of the Stoneham Fire Department to allow for safer access to the building. (Photo Courtesy of the Stoneham Fire Department) ready, the group, which works over the course of a few hours four days a week, has made progress on the bathroom renovations and completed the new ramp. “We are thrilled to be able to partner with Stoneham Fire to ARCHITECT | FROM Page 1 ber Stacey Rizzo were part of the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s (MSBA) designer selection process earlier this month. “I’m pleased to say that we chose Perkins Eastman as our designer for the new high school,” said Kelly. The project manager and the City of Revere are currently negotiating a contract with the fi rm for the project, Kelly said at Tuesday’s school committee meeting. “Hopefully, at the next school committee meeting, or shortly thereafter, they will be able to present to the committee some of the big picture ideas that they have,” Kelly said. “Their primary task once we get going will be to fi nalize where this high school is going to be. That is the big question.” The MSBA gave initial approval to the new high school building project at the end of 2018, giving school and City offi cials news it had waited to hear for nearly three years at that point. When the MSBA approval was help our students gain handson experience and show their support for our community partners,” DiBarri said. “Partnerships like this help to enrich the lives of our students and I know this is something that they really look forward to each week.” fi rst announced, Mayor Brian Arrigo stated the entire design and construction process could take from six to eight years. The current Revere High School will likely be at least a half-century old before a new school opens. The building at 101 School St. opened in September 1974, and while functional, the nearly half-centuryold building has lagged behind the new high schools built in surrounding communities that have a more decided 21st -century focus. According to project manager Leftfi eld, schematic designs for the new high school would be submitted to the MSBA by next spring, with the fi nalization of the project scope and budget taking place in the early summer of 2022. Perkins Eastman’s work includes a long list of accomplishments, including Rutgers University School of Nursing, the District Wharf in Washington, D.C., and mixed-use developments in Chicago and elementary schools in New York.
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