Committee approves repurposing for Fire Station 2 locker and shower renovations

The Newton City Public Facilities Committee on June 17 unanimously approved a request to repurpose $150,000 and transfer $177,000 to support shower and locker-room renovations at Fire Station 2. The funding will move from public buildings repair and maintenance (account 01C11546524070) to building improvements (account 737834 B115-582500).

The request, presented by the project lead (identified in the docket and introduced to the committee), described a construction estimate of $279,000, plus approximately $10,000 set aside for asbestos removal and an additional contingency to address unknown conditions in plumbing walls that have not been opened since 1963. Staff said the work will reduce the number of shower stalls from three to two to reflect current staffing patterns, rework plumbing, replace lockers, upgrade lighting and add new fixtures.

Councilors who toured Stations 1 and 2 supported the prioritization after viewing the spaces. Councilor Albbright said the tour made the project needs clear. Committee members asked whether the scope includes full-height private stall doors intended to better accommodate gender-diverse personnel; staff said that feature is not in the current scope but can be discussed with the fire chief for future phases.

Staff told the committee they solicited quotes from on-call contractors and that Homer offered the lowest competitive number after negotiations. Members asked about using a formal architect-led bid; staff said the project was scoped to use on-call contracts to avoid the added cost and time of full design-bid-build for what they judged to be a targeted renovation.

The committee voted to approve the transfer and repurposing request; Councilor Albbright moved approval and the vote was unanimous. The project will proceed to contracting and implementation under the department’s standard procedures.