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Editor's note: Westwood resident Allison Drescher begins a discussion on how to move forward to plan and fund a new Fire Station 1, after residents at a Special Election on September 9, 2025 rejected a funding mechanism (56% no, 44% yes) to increase taxes in excess of limitations set by Proposition 2-1/2. An almost identical voting outcome was the result at the town's June 3, 2025 Special Election on the same question (54% no, 46% yes). The Town of Westwood will host a Public Safety Forum on the future of FS1 on Tuesday, October 7, at 6:30 p.m. in the Westwood High School auditorium.
By Allison Drescher
What exactly happened with the second FS1 vote on September 9th?
The FS1 project was essentially presented to the voters as a one-option solution. That was a $38.1M new-build, costing taxpayers $72M, with interest, over the 30-year bond. The FS1 committee developed the project, which was subsequently signed off unanimously on by the Select Board, the Fin Com and Planning Board.
Real estate taxes have essentially doubled since 2015. From the 2025 Warrant Book, the average real estate tax on a home worth $1.2M went from $8,356 in 2015 to $15,998 projected for year 2026. That is a 91% increase. Voters have tax fatigue. (page 128 https://www.townhall.westwood.ma.us/home/showpublisheddocument/34745/638821243690000000)
Again, from the 2025 Warrant Book, the offer of one alternative as “The cost of not moving forward with this project was estimated at $16M to $30M for operations and repairs to the current fire station.” (page 28) $14M is a pretty big gap; but project cost of $20 to $25M may have been a lot more palatable for override voters.
Also, financial times have dramatically changed for residents – facing unprecedented inflation, higher interest rates and cost increases on nearly every level of basic daily life. Two people at the listening session discussed their fear of losing their jobs to AI. Sky-high annual home assessments are pushing bills higher. Homeowners and the town Assessor’s Office will both have problems in the event of any residential valuation correction.
A couple of suggestions – a new working group. Suggestions are the inclusion of people who voted against the formerly proposed project and directly impacted neighbors - fewer town employees and a limit on firefighters. A directly impacted resident volunteered to serve on the previous FS1 Committee; he was ignored. A group that comprises a real reflection of all stakeholders in town.
There is concern about potential over-reliance on current consultants. Dore & Whittier had $4.7M on architectural and engineering fees and PM, Vertex had a $1.9 project management fee built into FS1. That is after the $3.5M paid to Dore & Whittier to design the original FS1. (https://www.townhall.westwood.ma.us/home/showpublisheddocument/33904/638772816330900000)
Exactly who is setting the budgets for these projects – our Select Board or our consultants? Perhaps we need a greater understanding of the bidding process.
New consultants need to be brought in for a new perspective on the project, rebuilding trust and reassuring taxpayers adequate financial consideration is part of the project.
There were valid concerns about cost, size, scope and the mechanic’s bay. What about the PFAS (soil contaminants) found on the existing site? What is the corresponding clean-up cost? We need to innovate how town departments can share resources amongst themselves.
The capital budget needs to be examined. Residents are already paying some of the state’s highest real estate tax rates. How can annual tax collection contribute to major projects? It is also vitally important to understand where FS1 falls within other priorities for school improvements for WPS, the Senior Center, DPW and a Sewer Dept. facility and other needs in town.
Politically, did the Select Board “read the room”, as indicated by the first failed election, as well as by comments at the public listening session? Many residents were angered by being asked to vote on the FS1 project a second time. And two votes, a legal settlement utilizing outside counsel (including an abandoned zoning variance override proposal) feel wasteful to some townspeople – money that could have been put towards a reasonable proposal.
At the Fin Com meeting from September 10th, there was some interesting discussion. One of the members mentioned creating a cost comparability report and corresponding scoring chart. That is what taxpayers deserve – real transparency regarding options and costs. You can see that discussion here: https://www.youtube.com/live/BGjbcEtKk-A?t=2981s
Another Fin Com member summed things up succinctly, “I would go a step further and say that these committees that the town forms to look at what we should have as a replacement for Fire Station One or what we should do with Thurston, or what we should do with Sheehan, those committees need to gather public input and not just present ‘This is what we’ve come up with…’ They need to gather public input while they’re working about the job of developing something.” He said, “That was what was missing with Fire Station One, we were presented with a fait accompli last fall.”
He expressed his frustration that although FinCom has repeatedly requested a priority list of capital projects from the Select Board, it has not been forthcoming. He continued and expressed his willingness to publicly state, “There cannot be further discussion of any other capital projects until Fire Station One is discussed.”
Please attend the Public Safety Forum at the Westwood High School auditorium tonight, Tuesday, October 7th at 6:30 PM to make your voice heard.
Westwood, we can do better.
Thanks to Allison Drescher for contributing this opinion article to Westwood Minute. Ms. Drescher is a resident of Westwood, a principal and manager of a family-owned real estate portfolio in and around Boston, and president of the Small Property Owners Association. She can be reached at westwoodtaxpayers@gmail.com.
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.
