Chilmark’s long search for a suitable spot to build a new town fire station could well end up back where it began: at the current site where the town hall and firehouse sit side by side.
At their meeting Tuesday, selectmen discussed a preliminary space analysis prepared by Pacheco Ross Architects for the triangular lot sandwiched between Middle Road and the Menemsha Crossroad at Beetlebung Corner. The 20-page report describes a one-story and two-story solution to replace the existing firehouse, which would be demolished. The report suggests that two stories might be the best way to fit an expanded building on the site, which is constrained by size and the presence of wetlands.
The proposed two-story plan calls for an 11,466-square-foot station with a 6,800-square-foot first floor and 4,500-square-foot second floor. The building would have four loading bays. The current fire station currently has five.
Tri-Town Ambulance chief Ben Retmier told selectmen at the meeting that the EMS team is concerned that the number of bays won’t be adequate for both ambulances and fire trucks. Fire chief David Norton did not attend the meeting.
Selectman Warren Doty expressed concern over the proposed size, and asked what would be sacrificed by making the station smaller. He referred to the Chilmark Library as a model for the small, modest town buildings he said Chilmark residents want in their town.
“The key to whether we approve this site is the size of the building,” Mr. Doty said. “The issue is going to be how can we get this building the right size for this spot.”
He added that the town conservation commission is concerned that wetlands had not been delineated.
In the end the selectmen agreed to discuss the report again in the weeks ahead after receiving comments from the fire chief and others, and send it back to the architects for revisions.
Executive secretary Timothy Carroll said later it’s unlikely that plans can be developed in time to bring before voters at the annual town meeting late next month.
Efforts to build a new fire station date back for a number of years. In recent years, more than one attempt by the town to buy land for a new building has fallen through for different reasons.
In a related fire station matter Tuesday, selectmen learned that the current station is a safe working environment with only trace concentrations of asbestos present, according to sampling results from FLI Environmental.
Mr. Carroll said a full asbestos remediation plan will be done once the building is torn down, but currently all that’s needed are signs and some tape.
In an update on the Squibocket beach restoration project, selectmen said work to remove the revetment will begin on Monday. John Keene Excavation was due to begin work this week, but was delayed by the severe northeast storm.
With another storm in the forecast for Wednesday, selectman Bill Rossi said he was hoping for better weather. “I’d be glad to get these two northeasters out of the way,” Mr. Rossi said. “It could destroy a major part of the project. Let’s hope we have good weather from this point on.”
Selectmen agreed to hold a public hearing on April 3 on a proposal to hike the cost of nonresident recreational shellfishing permits. Currently a nonresident permit costs $50. A proposal by the town shellfish committee would increase the fee to $150 for nonresident recreational bay scalloping.
In other business, town treasurer Melanie Becker was appointed as custodian for a property on Meeting House Road that was taken by the town due to nonpayment of back taxes.
Allison Parry was appointed to fill Anne Cook’s seat on the Chilmark beach committee.
A petition presented by Wendy Weldon to increase the allowable size on guest houses from 800 square feet to 1,200 square feet was withdrawn to allow the planning board time to review it. Ms. Weldon had proposed a town nonbinding vote on the matter, but selectman Jim Malkin said he was concerned about the lack of details available.
“We’re asking for a straw vote when people have no information,” said Mr. Malkin. “It almost prejudges town opinion without a lot of foundation.”
Ms. Weldon said she would ask for petitioners to revoke their signatures while the planning board studies the proposal before the next selectmen’s meeting.
“There’s nothing simple with zoning in the town of Chilmark,” said Mr. Rossi. “Clear as mud.”
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