PRINCETON, Mass. - The Princeton fire station was built in 1890 and Chief John Bennet says it’s outlived its useful life.
Chief Bennett says there’s a lot wrong with the facility. It’s not compliant with certain standards, the buildings ceilings are failing, and space is tight, like in the bays where firefighter gear is hanging too close to the trucks.
“It’s extremely dangerous when vehicles leave,” Bennett said. “We don’t have bunk room and quite honestly the facility is just not acceptable to house a fire department or a police department. “
The town is looking at building a new public safety building for both the police and fire department at the site of the old Center school. Residents will vote Saturday at the annual Town Meeting whether or not to transfer money from other town accounts, and to go ahead with spending $850,000 on the design plan.
Princeton public safety building committee member Ian Catlow said,“To do this design phase, we are kind of moving between accounts that we have already saved up to do this project.”
There will be another vote down the line to go ahead with construction on a new building. Town leaders say they’re hoping to receive grants to help pay for the estimated $11.8 million project.
“There’s no finished plan for the facility, so there is plenty of time left for us to value engineer the project and try to get the best value for the town,” Catlow said.
Chief Bennett says a new building is a good investment for the future of the department and the town.
“This would ensure opportunity for growth. It would be a long term plan,” Chief Bennett said. “We would have cells finally and there would be proper integration rooms.”
Saturday’s meeting is at 10 a.m. at Thomas Prince School.