Whitestown board recommends $67,766 station 271 kitchen and day-room renovation, approves recommendation to council

Whitestown — The Whitestown Fire Board on Dec. 3 voted to recommend that town council approve short-term renovations at Station 271 intended to maintain living-area conditions until a longer-term station project.

Chief (speaker 2) presented a scope of work including new flooring in the kitchen and day room, replacement of men’s and women’s bathrooms and hallways, window replacement, removal of a vestibule to open day-room space, new kitchen cabinets and appliances (stove, dishwasher, sink, microwave), LED lighting and paint. The project was solicited from four companies; three returned bids. The low bidder, listed in the packet as "Project 1,500," originally bid $64,094.80; the chief said a morning update increased the low bid by $3,672 for a revised total of $67,766.80 due to material cost increases.

Board members discussed whether the vendor requires a 50% down payment and whether mitigation for firefighter contamination (a double-door breezeway or separate gear room) should be included; the chief said current apparatus exhaust systems exist but the building footprint limits a full contamination-control fix and that a separate project could be pursued later.

Unidentified Board Member (speaker 6) moved a favorable recommendation to council for the station improvements not to exceed $77,000 (including authorization to recommend a 50% down payment if required); the motion was seconded and passed unanimously, 5–0.

Next steps: the recommendation and updated quote will go to town council for approval and to encumber capital-line funds for the work.