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Trustees hear six options to fix aging Station 211; temporary quarters, multi‑million rebuilds on table
Summary
Fairfield Township trustees heard a six‑option presentation on repairing or replacing Fire Station 211, including short‑term roof and water‑damage fixes and multi‑million‑dollar additions or a new station; staff said any construction would likely require 12–18 months of temporary quarters.
Fairfield Township trustees heard a presentation Tuesday on options to repair or replace Fire Station 211 after a Community Design Alliance assessment found repeated water intrusion, damaged living quarters and mechanical shortcomings.
The Community Design Alliance consultant, Amy Hocky, told trustees she and a team that included contractor HGC developed six options ranging from targeted roof and interior repairs to building a new station on the site or adjacent land. “I have actually 6 options that I'm going to go over tonight,” Hocky said as she outlined the scope and budget approach.
Why it matters: Station 211 houses crews and apparatus that respond 24 hours a day; trustees and staff said the station’s condition affects firefighter living conditions, equipment storage and apparatus readiness. The presentation included construction‑cost budgeting from a local contractor and identified tradeoffs between short‑term repairs and longer‑term replacement.
The lowest‑cost plan on the packet was a focused repair to stop water infiltration and fix damaged finishes and floors; Hocky described that as the option that addresses water damage only. A larger roof replacement and interior renovation was presented as a higher‑cost alternative intended to resolve recurring leaks rather than merely patch them. Hocky also presented options that add living bunks, a new kitchen and a fourth apparatus bay, and two options to build a partial or full new station while keeping the current facility operable during construction.
Estimated times and contingency: Hocky said the construction schedule for projects that require temporary living quarters is likely to be about 12 to 18 months, and that the township would need to identify a site for temporary trailers or a rented facility. She estimated the cost to provide temporary quarters and support infrastructure at roughly $60,000 to $80,000 for the duration of construction.
Chief Berger and staff participated in the assessment and told trustees the station’s mechanical and living‑quarters issues — such as bunks without doors and damaged floor areas — affect crew comfort and privacy. Hocky said replacing the roof fully rather than repairing patches is likely to produce longer‑term results; she characterized a patch repair as “a band aid that might buy us a couple years.”
Trustee and staff next steps: Trustees did not take immediate action. Staff said they will continue refining cost estimates and site logistics, and that any construction plan will need a funding strategy. Hocky and the township recommended further design work before committing to a construction alternative so the board can consider funding sources, timing and whether to build while keeping the station operational.
Ending: Trustees asked staff to continue discussions with designers and contractors and return with more detailed cost and funding information at a future meeting.
