HUDSON – Roof replacement and a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system are among the proposed repairs to the Hudson Fire Department headquarters.
Two articles on the November Town Meeting warrant call for improvements to the headquarters, which is located on Cox Street.
“At some point, I am going to retire from the fire department. I just want to leave it in a condition better than when I found it,” Fire Chief Bryan Johannes said during a Select Board meeting Sept. 26.
Proposed repairs to the fire headquarters
The headquarters was built in 2004.
One of the proposed repairs to the headquarters would replace the deteriorated roof over the apparatus bay. According to Johannes, the current roof, which is made of composite shingles, is not able to prevent rain. Additionally, the cracked apparatus floor would be repaired, and the door operators would be replaced as Johannes said they have “fallen into a state of disrepair” and “never seal properly.”
Further, window trims would be installed on the windows on the roof, which weren’t added when the building was constructed.
The inside of the fire headquarters would receive a “complete painting of all of the surfaces,” Johannes said.
In addition, a new HVAC system would be installed as the current system is charged with R-22, which is a banned refrigerant.
“Our units have been exposed to the elements and over the course of time, they have deteriorated to the point where they need replacement,” Johannes said.
The Hudson Fire Department has hired Colliers to conduct a feasibility study of the headquarters, but Johannes said the headquarters must undergo a “more extensive” architectural study.
“We want to make sure the overall integrity of the building envelope will support any huge upgrades that occur,” he said.
Town Meeting articles
On the Town Meeting Warrant, Article 12 asks the town to transfer $1,202.42 from the Fire Station #1 repairs account to the Fire Station Feasibility Study.
In addition, Article 14 is a request to borrow approximately $1,122,000 for renovations and repairs to the fire headquarters and to authorize the treasurer, with the approval of the Select Board, to issue any bonds or notes necessary for the renovations and repairs. That article requires a two-thirds vote at Town Meeting.
Town Meeting is scheduled for Nov. 21.
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