Seekonk Fire Station Costs Likely to Rise

The costs of construction for the South End Fire Station could be at least $500,000 higher according to Seekonk Building Commissioner Jeff Mello.

In a May 16 e-mail to Select Board member Gary Sagar, Mello noted if the project was “starting from scratch again assuming the new energy stretch code, new plans, mechanical designs, Comm Checks and all new permitting process which would easily amount to 500K.”

Mello considered the project as “being put on hold rather than cancelled. I will hold the existing drawings and designs, until the project commences or is cancelled.”

“The latest version of the building code, specifically the energy code section, has requirements which can become costly very quickly. “For example, the building envelope needs to now be designed with a specific calculation to prove a limited number of “thermal bridges,” said Ted Galante, architect for the South End Fire Station.

“The longer the project lingers, the more costs will increase,” Galante added.

Supporters of the project cited the town’s growing population and the need to reduce response times as reasons why a new fire station is needed.

The $9.5 million project was rejected at the May town meeting by a vote of 112 – 108. A two thirds vote was needed to pass the article.

Town Administrator Shawn Cadime said in order for the project to go ahead, town meeting voters would need to approve funding for architectural services.

At last May’s town meeting, Fire Chief Shaun Whalen explained that if the station were to be built, some firefighters would need to be reassigned from the other two stations – the Banna station on Pine Street and the Police/Fire Headquarters on Taunton Avenue. Additional staff would also need to be hired for the new station.

Sagar proposed a special town meeting in September so the project could be put out to bid. That effort failed. The hope now is for a warrant article for the November town meeting.

Sagar told Galante the building committee “believe we can reduce our ‘soft costs’, significantly, to stay within our requested $9.5 million.”