Council OKs binding question to seek voter approval for matching funds for new fire station(s)

The Scituate Town Council voted to put a bond question before the financial town meeting asking voters to authorize up to $2.5 million in borrowing to match potential grant awards for one or more new fire stations.

Council members and staff said the request is a preliminary step required by some grant programs that award construction money only if the municipality can show local matching funds and community support. The resolution authorizes issuance of bonds, if needed, and would be presented to qualified voters at the town’s financial meeting.

A staff member described grant scenarios that could require a town match of roughly 45 percent; under that estimate a $2.5 million authorization would meet match requirements for grant requests in the $4.5 million to $5 million range. “If we don’t do this, we’re not even eligible for a $3 million grant,” a staff member said during the discussion.

Speakers noted the town is exploring a land swap with the Providence Water Supply Board to relocate stations currently in flood zones or on leased land. No land has been acquired and no grant has been awarded; council members stressed the bond authorization is a contingency to enable rapid response if a grant is approved.

Council members amended the draft resolution upward from an initial $2,025,000 figure to allow “up to $2.5 million” and then voted to approve the amended resolution to present at the financial town meeting. The motion passed with all recorded votes in favor.

Council directions after the vote included continuing negotiations on land options and preparing information for voters about potential project scope, matching obligation and the timeline should a grant be awarded.