Westwood Residents Form FS1-Yes Committee to Support New Fire Station 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: FS1 Yes Committee | fs1yescommittee.com | fs1campaigndonations@gmail.com

Westwood Residents Form FS1 Yes Committee to Support New Fire Station 1

The FS1-Yes Committee launches a campaign ahead of the October 26 Special Town Meeting and November 3 ballot vote.

WESTWOOD, Mass., October 9, 2026: A group of Westwood residents has formed the FS1 Yes Committee, a ballot question committee organized to support construction of a new Fire Station 1. The committee is co-chaired by Michael Gay and Dori Parmelee, with Chris Giovino serving as treasurer.

The campaign comes as Westwood voters prepare to decide, for a third time, whether to replace a fire station built in 1948 and last renovated in 1975 – a building that firefighters say can no longer safely support the department's work. This February, after snowfall caused new water damage, a structural engineer found that two of the station's four bays could no longer safely hold large fire trucks without repair.

"Westwood residents voiced what they wanted: a smaller, less costly plan and a better process. The town delivered a plan that's ~20% smaller, saves $10 million in interest, and keeps the current station running until the new one opens. The need hasn't gone away, and neither has the risk. I'm volunteering because this is the right plan at the right time." said Michael Gay, Co-Chair of the FS1 Yes Committee.

A New Process, A New Plan

After voters rejected the 2025 proposal citing size, cost, and a process that felt rushed and top-down, the town truly listened. A citizen-led steering committee held 70+ public meetings, reviewed eight sites, and rebuilt the plan from scratch based on resident feedback. The project has also seen new leadership since 2025, including Town Administrator Connor Read (hired early 2026), Owner's Project Manager PMA Consultants (selected April 2026), and designer Kaestle Boos Associates (selected June 2026).

The result:

• Smaller Size and Overall Cost: ~29,000 sq. ft. (20% smaller), $39.98M total, down from $41.6M, with a funding plan that saves $10M in interest over 30 years.
• Lower tax impact: The average single-family homeowner cost is estimated to be $343/year. Homeowners whose homes are at or below the median assessed property value of $1,077,000 could see an annual cost of less than $300. There will be no tax impact until FY29.
• New site, no disruption: The former Deerfield School site (an unavailable option in 2025) allows the current station to keep operating nearby until the new one opens.
• Added value: Renovated green space, better stormwater management, and expanded site parking.
• No shortcuts on safety: Code-compliant facilities include dedicated space for firefighters to safely remove carcinogens and toxins they're exposed to on the job.

“The stewardship of our town belongs to all of us. Our elected leaders and town staff help identify our needs, evaluate the options, and guide the process, but the future of Westwood is something we shape together. That starts with a Yes Vote for a new Fire Station 1 on October 26th and November 3rd," said Dori Parmelee, Co-Chair of the FS1-Yes Committee.

Two Votes Required

State law requires both of the following votes to pass for the project to move forward:

• Special Town Meeting: Monday, October 26, 7:00 p.m. (sign-in begins at 6:00 p.m.), Westwood High School Gymnasium. Requires a two-thirds majority vote in favor of funding authorization.
• Debt Exclusion Ballot Vote (Question 10): Tuesday, November 3, 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., Westwood High School Gymnasium. Vote Yes on Question 10.

See the Town of Westwood website for other election information including early election in-person voting dates.

Get Involved

The FS1 Yes Committee encourages the community to get involved: learn more, volunteer, request a yard sign, or donate at fs1yescommittee.com. Follow the campaign on Facebook and Instagram.

Paid for by the FS1 Yes Committee, Chris Giovino, Treasurer, 476 Everett Street, Westwood, MA 02090.