Selectboard authorizes up to $21,000 for fire-station design; department reports new hires, equipment and training plans

The Selectboard on a voice vote authorized the town administrator to execute design and permitting work for a proposed new fire station and to expend up to $21,000 from the Fire Station Capital Reserve Fund or grant proceeds, officials said.

The money will pay for site plan and permitting work from a package proposed by Fieldstone (site planning) and associated engineering and test pits, the board was told. The board discussed design options intended to reduce long-term maintenance costs — including raising the concrete frost wall under the garage rather than a large slab foundation — if later funding allows.

The action moves the project from earlier planning toward contract drawings and test pits. A town official said the town has an existing roster of consultants selected through a 2019 RFP (KFC Architects, Fieldstone and WW Engineering) and…