Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, April 18, 2025 FIRE STATION | FROM PAGE 1 fire station/EMS public safety building and where such a facility could be located to best serve the town’s public safety needs. If the town’s mission is simply to open up a third fire station, it could put up a steel building and put a fire truck in it, according to Crabtree. Or, the town could repurpose the old firehouse near Town Hall and put a firetruck in that building. But that wouldn’t serve the town’s public interest, Crabtree said. Jeff Shaw, president and Principal-in-Charge at Context Architecture, and the company’s project manager, Peter Nelson, sat at a table positioned at the front of the town MEETING THE PUBLIC: A panel of officials involved in the proposed public safety facility gave an informational session at Town Hall on Monday night. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) auditorium where they shared the findings of their study and presented the PowerPoint preLawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net sentation. The objectives of the feasibility study were to: · Assess existing fire stations, operations and studies · Prepare response time analysis · Review potential sites for future public safety and EMS facility · Make recommendations for site selection · Program and design new public safety and EMS facility In addition, the study identified two zones for response time analysis. Zone 1 provides access to main roads, including Route 1 and Walnut Street, while Zone 2 provides access to main roads, including Lynn Fells Parkway, Route 1 and Town Manager Scott Crabtree briefed the public on the logistics, potential costs and benefits of a public safety building that would also serve as a third fire station during an informational meeting on Monday night at Town Hall. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) Main Street. A station located in Zone 2 is closer to the existing Public Safety Headquarters and Fire Station. Zone 2 includes partial coverage of West Saugus and Melrose. Zones were studied along with site features, including reservation land, wetlands, flood zones and other areas not suitable for construction. Phase one of the feasibility study included more than 25 sites in Zones 1 and 2 that were identified for initial analysis. Six sites were selected for detailed study and building test fits. Among the findings of the analysis: · A facility located in Northwest Saugus improves coverage and response time. · A new facility addresses future development and increasing fire and EMS demand. · A new facility permits the Saugus Fire Department to maintain current response times and improve overall service to the town. Crabtree said he plans to submit an article for a Special Town Meeting scheduled for May 5 requesting funds for phase two of the feasibility study, which would be continued by Context Architecture – a firm that has developed a track record all over New England, including for designing firehouses, according to the town manager. “We’ve already invested a half million dollars. We’re going to invest more for the land. We’re going to have to put together a design,” Crabtree said. “The next phase is going to be looking for more money for designing.” “We have to have our ducks in a row and make sure it makes sense. Part of this feasibility study is looking at every area in the town,” he said. Crabtree estimated that it would cost $30 million and perhaps more to build a public safety building and to acquire property to locate it. It would be an additional $1.5 million to add staff, he said. “We have to start thinking differently – what we want for the entire community,” Crabtree said. “This is another big turning point for the town. The goal is FIRE STATION | SEE PAGE 4
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