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Council reviews phased plan to add daytime staffing and refurbish Hudson fire station; total renovation estimate about $5 million
Summary
A council subcommittee presented a two-phase plan to provide 24/7 firefighting coverage by hiring daytime staff and renovating the existing station; consultants estimated roughly $5 million in work to make the building last longer, with an earlier estimate near $7.8 million and a new-station alternative at $15–20 million.
Hudson City Council's subcommittee on fire and EMS presented a two-phase proposal April 8 to reduce response times by adding daytime firefighting coverage and renovating the existing station. The plan calls for phased staffing increases and building work intended to support continuous operations.
Consultant Vaughn Miller and Fire Chief Barnes told council the city needs a minimum of four firefighters per engine to respond safely to structure fires and recommended the council move toward a hybrid staffing model. Phase 1 would create dormitory and support spaces inside the current building and add a small garage structure to store equipment displaced by the renovations. Phase 2 would modernize EMS spaces, add decontamination and locker-room improvements (including a separate female locker/shower), and address building-condition items.
Vaughn Miller said the estimate for both phases together is 'around $5,000,000,' with some facility-condition items (roof, HVAC, windows) separately identified and potentially increasing long-term costs. An earlier, higher estimate discussed in November had been roughly $7,800,000. Council and staff contrasted those costs with a complete new station, which consultants said could cost in the $15 million to $20 million range.
Chief Barnes said the department already has many applicants for expanded staffing and that about 72 applications were received for the posted positions, 29 of them from current staff. Staff noted a lead time to acquire and fit turnout gear for new hires could be four to six months.
The subcommittee's plan envisions initial daytime coverage (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) followed by adding overnight coverage as dorms and facilities become available; city staff said they could seek to have the hybrid coverage in place by mid-2026 if the renovation schedule and hiring proceed on an accelerated timetable.
Councilor Tyler requested a detailed multi-year financial model to show how the proposed renovation and staffing would affect the city budget over five, 10 and 15 years; staff committed to return with a financing plan and capital budget implications at the April 22 workshop. City staff also said if the council chooses to bond the project the city would likely use a 20-year bond horizon.
No formal vote to authorize construction or bonding was taken on April 8. The subcommittee and staff asked the council to endorse the direction so staff can finalize cost estimates and a financing plan for council consideration at the next budget workshop.
