East Clinton Fire District’s proposed 11,000‑sq‑ft firehouse draws historic‑preservation and screening concerns at planning board hearing

The Town of Clinton Planning Board on an evening meeting opened a public hearing on a site plan for a new East Clinton Fire District firehouse, hearing a presentation from engineers and a string of detailed questions and objections from neighbors and the Clinton Historical Society.

Joseph Berger of Berger Engineering and the project architect described a single‑story, steel‑framed building of "a little over 11,000 square feet" with five vehicle bays and associated offices and community spaces, a loop drive, stormwater infiltration basins and roughly 65 parking spaces (49 for routine use, with additional 19 places held in reserve). Berger said subsurface sewage disposal and infiltration systems are proposed and that the existing on‑site well and gravel conditions support the stormwater approach.

The proposal prompted sustained public comment focused on historic‑preservation, lighting, landscaping and construction staging. Cynthia Cook, president of the Clinton Historical Society, said she was concerned about impacts to the Creek Meeting House — an 18th‑century stone building on the National Register — and its surrounding cemetery, requesting a view of the meeting house on the submitted plans and…