OPINION: Proposed FS1 is Essential, No Bells and Whistles

The following opinion article represents the views and opinions of the author, and not necessarily those of Westwood Minute.

Editor's note:  In this article, Westwood resident Kathy Wallace responds to Allison Drescher's article, "OPINION: Can the Taxpayers Afford All the Bells & Whistles on FS1?" (Oct. 16, 2024). 

By Kathy Wallace

Thank you to Allison Drescher for sharing her thoughts on the Westwood Fire Station 1 Project and Westwood’s Town Finances. These are two important topics worthy of discussion, but they are two distinct and separate matters.

First, let’s consider Fire Station 1. Most residents agree FS1 needs to be replaced. Many residents agree that public safety provided by Fire and Police needs to be the highest priority for the town. All residents, young and old, are protected by the many services provided by WFD and agree that response time is paramount.

Westwood is fortunate to have a wonderful team of Firefighters/Paramedics, led by Fire Chief Lund and Assistant Chief McCarthy. Paramedics are able to provide hospital level care in our Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances. Dover, on the other hand, does not have an Advanced Life Support ambulance. Most people know of residents who have been rescued by our paramedics during life threatening circumstances of cardiac issues, fire, car accidents, carbon monoxide, allergic reactions, technical rescues etc. WFD has even delivered babies. This level and quality of protection saves lives.

The proposed fire station needs to protect the health and wellbeing of our firefighters who are at higher risk for occupational cancer. This is not a typical municipal building. It is used 24/7 365 days a year. Firefighters “live” there during their shifts. The building needs to have room for the essential apparatus to protect residents. These trucks have gotten larger and heavier over the years and require heavy duty structured flooring to accommodate the size and weight. There will be 5 large apparatus bays that will house the apparatus that we currently own and operate. The fumes from the vehicles need to be prevented from coating the firefighter’s gear or seeping into the living quarters. The HVAC design is technically robust. Decontamination of gear needs a separate and distinct area, so the gear can be cleaned without contaminating the living quarters. Often residents arrive at the fire station needing medical attention. The new building will have a small triage area so the patient can be privately evaluated, treated and transported if needed. The building includes a maintenance bay so large equipment can be serviced without needing to be outsourced, which saves money and shortens time that the equipment is out of service. Living quarters include dorm rooms, kitchen, day room, fitness area, and bathroom facilities including showers. Westwood Fire is a coed department needing the requisite space for privacy. Administration for both fire stations, as it is now, will be housed in FS1, requiring office space. There will be a training/conference room as well as physical training space where lifesaving skills are practiced. This is advantageous so the firefighters do not need to go offsite and can still respond to calls from the station. Last February, I saw 2 fire trucks and an ambulance at the Main Library and I thought there was an emergency. There was no emergency. WFD was using the library conference room for training and not only needed to bring the apparatus with them, but they had to keep the engines running so the water in the trucks did not freeze. Finally, there is space needed for a utility room, mechanical equipment and the emergency generator.

None of this is deluxe; it is utilitarian and functional. There are no bells and whistles. The building was designed from the inside out in order to fit everything in. The proposed building is 35,833 square feet. I have attended or watched all of the public meetings where FS1 was discussed. There is nothing that can be cut from this building. Ms. Drescher suggests cutting it by 30%. I invite anyone to speak up and say specifically what is not needed in the proposed building to protect residents and our firefighters.

FS1 should have been replaced 10 years ago, when “temporary supports” were installed to shore up the floor so it would not collapse with the weight of the equipment. Many surrounding towns have new fire stations. Westwood has to compete with these towns to hire firefighters. There is a shortage of trained firefighters/paramedics. The working environment is something that can deter or attract qualified candidates. It is time for this building to be approved as proposed. The estimated cost of FS1 is approximately $40 million. This will be funded by a 30 year debt exclusion, not an override. For comparison, the Town of Northborough, Mass Town Meeting recently voted to replace their 50 year old fire station with a 33,850 square foot building at a cost of $41.3 million. Northborough has approximately 1000 fewer residents than Westwood.

This brings me to the second topic: property taxes. I agree with Ms. Drescher that the town administration needs to be more proactive in reviewing how our tax dollars are allocated for operational expenses as well as anticipated projects. Property assessment reviews are prescribed by the Commonwealth of Mass. If a property assessment goes up or down, it does not mean your property taxes will go up or down. Your payment is determined based on the assessment and the tax rate set by the town within Proposition 2 ½ guidelines. As Ms. Drescher suggested, residents should attend meetings to understand town finances and to express their priorities. It is too late once we assemble at the May Annual Town Meeting to advocate for change. The meeting dates are published on the town website and many meetings are recorded by Westwood Media Center for live or later viewing.

Let’s come together as a community and support our firefighters and the FS1 project and also advocate for increased overall fiscal discipline. The FS1 project and town finances are distinct and separate discussions. We should not nickel and dime the FS1 project. We need to approve the project at the Annual Town Meeting on May 19, 2025. Thank you.

As an FYI, the WFD is hosting an open house for residents of all ages on Saturday 10/26/24 10am-1pm. There will be fun activities for kids and station tours for all. Please stop by to meet our wonderful team at WFD.

Thanks to Kathy Wallace, Westwood resident, for contributing this opinion article to Westwood Minute. 

Westwood Minute takes no position on the opinion articles that it publishes, but seeks accurate and thoughtful commentary on topics that matter to our community, from a variety of differing viewpoints. Feel free to reply with your reaction below, or submit another perspective to WestwoodInAMinute@gmail.com.

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You may also be interested in:

- OPINION: Can the Taxpayers Afford All the Bells & Whistles on FS1?

- Westwood Fire Station Open House Postponed to October 26th

- Proposed Design for New Westwood Fire Station One is Unveiled

- OPINION: Let's Put Safety First