Owners of Freedom Street fire station win six-month extension to submit invoices

The Community Preservation Committee on Monday granted a six-month extension to owners of the Freedom Street Fire Station so remaining invoices can be submitted and the project closed out.

Sir Charles, who identified himself as the owner/applicant of the Freedom Street property, told the committee he and his wife, Gloria, have been restoring the brick fire station they acquired from the city in 1989. He said masonry work on the west elevation was recently completed. “This station is a brick … It was built in 1884,” Sir Charles said, describing the building’s history and the ongoing restoration.

Sandy, CPC staff, told the committee the physical work on the masonry was completed and that the outstanding administrative step was submission of invoices by the applicant. “The project’s done. They have all the invoices. They just haven’t submitted them for due to personal reasons,” Sandy said. Committee records noted a small remaining line item of “$18.05” on the CPC sheet and an earlier architect line item of $92.50; staff advised the remaining paperwork must be submitted to release final funds.

The committee moved to grant a six-month extension to allow the owners to provide the outstanding invoices and signoff. Members acknowledged the applicants had spent personal funds and that the project had exceeded the original award amount; staff said no CPC funds would be recouped because the owners had outlaid more than the grant balance.

With the extension approved by voice vote, staff asked a committee member to inspect the completed masonry and deliver the invoices so the CPC office can process final payment.