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Council presses administration on $105,000 lease to store fire apparatus at 46 State Street
Summary
Administration asked the council to approve a two‑year lease (~$105,000/year) for storage space used by the fire department; deputy chief said six pieces of apparatus and rescue equipment are stored there, and council members pressed the administration on long‑term plans and the lease's triple‑net taxes.
The administration asked the Municipal Council caucus to authorize a two‑year lease with 18 Ash Street Realty to continue using space at 46 State Street for fire department storage. The administration said the lease will cost roughly $105,000 for the full year and that funds have been encumbered to pay that amount.
Councilmembers pressed the administration on the long‑term objective, noting the city has a new Public Safety Building and asking whether stored apparatus could be consolidated into city‑owned facilities. Peter Horton said the space functions like a warehouse and contains bulkier apparatus that cannot fit in the Public Safety Building; Deputy Chief Hart said "we currently have 6 pieces of apparatus stored there," including engines, a truck, a specialized rescue vehicle and associated rescue equipment.
Councilmembers asked about lease terms and additional costs. Councilmember Efros flagged a nearly $10,000 annual payment in addition to rent that appears to be approximately 40% of the 2026 property tax for the building; administration said the lease is a triple‑net agreement and that tenant obligations include a share of taxes. The administration said it has tried to locate other properties but is constrained because heavy apparatus require deep foundations and load‑bearing capacity that limit suitable alternatives.
Councilmembers asked the administration to explore options for bringing storage in‑house — including shifting equipment to new firehouses as they come online — and to provide a longer‑term plan so the council can weigh continued leasing against future property acquisition or use of city‑owned facilities. No final vote on the ordinance was taken in caucus; the item remains on the agenda for the council meeting.
