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Town weighs options after $350,000 wetlands mitigation estimate for Fire Station 2 parcel
Summary
Department heads told newly elected members the town is raising land near Fire Station 2 to store equipment and avoid costly fencing; an estimate to mitigate wetlands on the 4‑acre parcel was cited at $350,000 and a 19‑acre alternative was not under negotiation.
Staff member opened the meeting by outlining the purpose: to brief newly elected council members on department operations and let them ask questions.
Dustin Graham, the town’s code enforcement officer and project supervisor, described work to consolidate overflow public‑works equipment and contractor materials at land near Fire Station 2. Graham said crews are hauling fill from nearby projects and preparing the non‑wetland portion so the site can safely hold vehicles and equipment.
“Fire Station 2, what we’re doing right now is hauling in the dirt … that land will be brought up level with Fire Station 2,” the staff member said, describing steps to make the area suitable for trucks and storage. The staff member added the council rejected earlier quotes of $25,000–$35,000 to fence a temporary staging area and instead opted to relocate equipment to the prepared parcel.
Council members pressed for cost estimates to mitigate wetlands on the four‑acre site. The staff member said prior engineering placed the mitigation figure at about $350,000, and added that “$350,000 just to give away was a lot of money.” Members also asked about a larger, roughly 19‑acre property closer to town limits; the staff member said the town is not negotiating purchase of that parcel and noted it appears to be owned by about 15 different property owners.
Graham and staff emphasized the town will sign off on cleanup of construction staging areas and said the contractor will be required to remove pipes, concrete and other debris before final payment is made. Graham said the Majestic Oaks Park project will be cleaned up by the project deadline and that some material from Catchment 7 and other projects is being separated and hauled offsite as work proceeds.
The meeting record shows the discussion remained exploratory: the town is trying to avoid recurring rental or staging at residential sites, seeking lower‑cost alternatives to intensive wetland mitigation and continuing to look for land that could meet long‑term storage needs. Council members asked for follow‑up cost breakdowns and contract documents before any purchase or major construction commit.
