Harwich Selectmen Vote to Support New Fire Station

The East Harwich fire station.

HARWICH – Harwich Selectmen have thrown their unanimous support behind a plan to build a new fire station in East Harwich that will cost a little more than $6 million.

If approved at the spring town meeting, the new building would replace the town’s existing 41 year-old facility.

“I am passionate about this project and I am passionate to do it,” said Fire Chief Norman Clarke.

“It’s the best thing for the fire department, the best thing for the town, and we absolutely will have kept the taxpayer in mind but this project is desperately needed.”

The price tag comes in more than $2 million dollars above original estimates, and would double the current station’s 5,500 square foot size, also allowing for the storage of more trucks, ambulances, and fire/rescue apparatus.

During his presentation, fire chief Norman Clarke explained how the cost estimates could be so far off.

“I stood before you and was adamant about $4 million, I take full responsibility for that,” said Clarke,

“That number was arrived at through consultation with professionals and it was, sadly to say, a year and a half to two years old, and things have changed.”

Plans also call for the addition of a dedicated walk-in medical exam room, a supervisor’s office, a meeting and training room, five bunk rooms, as well as space for the town’s police department.  

Selectmen also weighed proposals to renovate and expand the current station, at a cost of roughly $4 million, but eventually determined that it would be best to start anew.

The plan still requires town meeting approval, followed by a proposition 2½ debt exclusion vote at the ballot box.

By DAVID BEATTY, CapeCod.com NewsCenter

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