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Town of Saugus Announces Milestone Dates for Third Fire Station Project - September 22, 2023

Posted on: September 22, 2023 - 11:34am

Town of Saugus Announces Milestone Dates for Third Fire Station Project

(Saugus, MA) September 22, 2023 – The Town of Saugus today announced a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will be advertised in the Massachusetts Central Register for firms to study the feasibility of building a third fire station.  Copies of the RFQ are now available.

Article 7 at the Special Town Meeting in May approved $400,000 to conduct a feasibility study to move this important project forward.

An in-depth operational study of the Fire Department completed in 2021 quantified Saugus’ need for a third station to serve neighborhoods both west of Route 1 and north of Walnut Street. The 2021 study, completed by Municipal Resources Inc of Meredith, NH, found response times to almost 40% of the Town exceeded the industry standard of six minutes from either of Saugus’ two first stations. The report commended the overall operation of the Saugus Fire Department, while noting that first response times were beyond its control.

As has been publicly discussed, this is a public safety project that effects the entire community and will need town-wide support and funding from the residents through a Proposition 2 ½ debt exclusion for land and construction, and an operational property tax override for sustainable staffing.  Moreover, a location will be chosen only after a thorough analysis of distance, travel time, and site suitability. No location will be chosen until an open and public process takes place, including at least one public hearing.

“We have identified the needs of a third station,” said Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree. “This feasibility study is an important step forward and will identify the best locations for both emergency operational efficiency and cost. When the study is complete the Town will have a clearer blueprint to discuss going into budget season next spring.”

For additional information please feel free to contact the Town Manager’s Office: (781) 231-4111.