HUDSON – Additional funds to renovate the fire headquarters will be heading to Town Meeting.
On April 8, Executive Assistant Thomas Gregory explained the cost estimate for the fire headquarters building renovation project. The total construction cost came to $3,238,571, which exceeded the project budget as currently funded. Gregory recommended appropriating additional funds from free cash in the amount of $1.2 million at Town Meeting on May 6 under Article 12 of the warrant.
He also recommended eliminating an appropriation of $400,000 for the Main Street fire station renovations that are currently included in the 2025 fiscal year capital plan, which is contained in Article 5 of the warrant.
The Select Board voted to approve the supplemental funding as presented by Gregory.
The project stemmed from conversations that Gregory and former Fire Chief Bryan Johannes had about the condition of both fire stations. In May 2022, the town received an appropriation to do a study on the buildings with Colliers International.
“So they came in, and they did a walkthrough analysis of both buildings, and they assembled project budgets that would be considered significant updates, renovations to both buildings,” said Gregory.
RELATED CONTENT: Hudson Fire Chief talks headquarters renovations
Colliers International estimated $1.1 million for the work of replacing the membrane and sloped roofs, rooftop air-handling units and smaller scale renovations. That number was presented at the November 2022 Town Meeting. After Town Meeting voters approved the appropriation, the town entered into a contract with Context Architecture for full design services for a $157,700 fee, according to Gregory.
Afterwards, Johannes came to Gregory with concerns about the overhead doors to the apparatus bay and getting it fixed. Gregory agreed it was important to do and had that work bid separately so they could start to work on them. The bid went to Paul J. Rogan Company for $359,000 with a $12,000 cost for additional design services.
“Fast forward to March of this year, we received the cost estimate,” said Gregory. “That was a deliverable that the architect had in their budget from A.M. Fogarty [the estimator] for the remainder of the work.”
As a result of these developments with the project, the total cost estimate “came in at $3.2 million,” and as that number was not close to the original estimate in 2022, Gregory, Fire Chief Jamie Desautels and Finance Director Neil Vaidya talked to the architect about adjusting the scope.
Gregory’s recommendation leaves out the replacement of the sloped roof and interior paint and ceiling replacement in one stairwell for a cost of $1,711,491, including construction and contingency costs.
He noted that there is $587,300 left from the original $1.1 million appropriation for funding as well. Once the membrane roof work is completed, the town can focus on the Main Street fire station, or Station #1.
“We can pivot when this work is done,” said Gregory.
Hudson’s Town Meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on May 6. The full warrant can be found at townofhudson.org.
Hudson Hometown Heroes Salute
In veterans’ news, there will be an event to honor Hudson’s military heroes on May 18, or Armed Forces Day, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hudson Armory at 35 Washington St. The Hudson Hometown Heroes Salute will be a recognition of the local heroes who have served in all branches of the U.S. military. Prior to the event, Hometown Heroes banners will be installed from Route 85 through Washington Street at the Hudson/Marlborough line.
Veterans’ Director Brian Stearns wrote in an April 2 memo, “As we honor all those who served in defense of our nation, we ask that you provide our assembled audience your words of support for our military veterans and their families. We look forward to seeing you at this celebration and on behalf of Hudson’s veterans.”
