Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Finance Committee reviews Fire Department FY2027 budget as chiefs outline temporary station closures and new stations
Summary
Fire Chief Ryan presented a $7.75 million FY2027 operating request to the Finance Committee and described temporary closures of Engine 3 and Engine 5 starting April 1 while new, larger, energy-efficient stations are built and expected to be occupied late 2027.
Fire Chief Ryan presented the Fire Department’s FY2027 operating budget of $7,748,513 to the Finance Committee on Feb. 26, stressing that the personnel portion — $6,979,813 — reflects a 0.14% increase and the overall budget is a level-service proposal that does not yet include a negotiated labor agreement.
Chief Ryan said the department currently lists roughly 60 uniformed members with one vacancy from a December retirement and an anticipated retirement in July; two new recruits are at the state academy and expected to graduate in May. He said the budget maintains current staffing levels while absorbing rising costs for utilities and equipment maintenance.
A significant part of the department’s near-term capital plan is a temporary station reconfiguration. Chief Ryan said personnel from Engine 3 (260 Old Westford Road) and Engine 5 (295 Acton Road) will be relocated April 1 while new stations are built. The planned Engine 3 building is about 8,408 square feet and Engine 5 about 8,706 square feet; both are expected to be occupied in late 2027 and the town expects general contractor bids March 27.
The designs include safety and sustainability upgrades. Chief Ryan told the committee both stations will meet stringent energy codes, will be all‑electric and have solar panels; Engine 3 also received a $1 million grant for geothermal heat pumps. He described dedicated gear and decontamination rooms and improved ventilation as a large safety investment for firefighters.
Chief Ryan also reviewed public-safety trends and prevention work: total department responses rose 2% from 2024 to 2025 (6,369 to 6,499) and medical calls grew about 2.7%. He detailed outreach efforts — including smoke‑alarm installation at a local trailer park — and said donations and grants had supported screening and protective gear purchases funded in part with ARPA dollars.
On apparatus procurement, Chief Ryan flagged longer lead times and higher prices for fire apparatus and urged attention to national procurement trends. He said consolidation in the apparatus industry has reduced competition, contributing to higher prices and multi‑year delivery delays, and he noted congressional and federal‑study recommendations to examine market conditions.
Town Manager Cohen and other members noted the multi-step capital process — capital plan approval, Town Meeting funding vote, and then ordering — and discussed the department’s role in vehicle fit‑up and acceptance testing.
The Finance Committee did not take a vote on the Fire Department budget at this meeting; the presentation was for review ahead of upcoming budget hearings.
