Killingworth selectmen add fire company needs assessment to multiyear plan, set $23.93 million estimate

The Killingworth Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to amend the town's multiyear capital plan to include the Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company needs assessment for fiscal year 2030'31 and to replace an earlier $10 million placeholder with an updated estimate of $23,928,968.

The change was introduced by the meeting leader (Chair), who moved to accept the multiyear plan as amended. The board debated timing, interim solutions and how a proposed $225,000 steel storage bay would affect long-term needs, then agreed to substitute the needs-assessment figure presented at the meeting. "The estimated cost: $23,928,968," the Chair said on the floor when proposing the amendment.

Why it matters: the multiyear capital plan sets the town's projected large-ticket projects and helps determine whether the town will pursue bonding, state grant applications or phased funding. Several selectmen stressed that the town's operating budget and available capital reserves mean the board must balance near-term maintenance needs against long-term construction plans.

Board discussion focused on three issues: (1) how a temporary steel structure would affect storage and immediate operational needs, (2) whether the needs-assessment estimate used conservative square-foot costs (the assessment used a $1,000-per-square-foot figure while attendees said comparable towns often see $600'$750 per square foot), and (3) timing for bonding and design work. Rick, who spoke for the fire company and the volunteer effort, urged the board to "continue with the needs assessment and aggressively pursue this project," saying the steel structure would provide a short-term cushion while longer-term plans are finalized.

Several selectmen said they preferred planning for the project in the 2030'31 window to allow design work, bond counsel consultation and staged budgeting. The Chair said the amended figure will replace the placeholder in the plan and the board will bring the amended plan forward as part of upcoming town meeting and capital-budget conversations.

The motion to amend the multiyear capital plan and adopt the $23,928,968 estimate was seconded and carried unanimously. The board recorded no further formal actions on funding sources; the decision leaves open whether the town will seek state bond assistance or phase the work. Next steps identified at the meeting included finalizing designs, confirming the needs-assessment assumptions and, if pursued, engaging bond counsel and architects to scope a bond or phased funding plan.