Milton residents could face a one percent increase in property taxes to bridge a massive funding gap for the Atherton Street fire station. During a detailed subcommittee review at the Fire Station Headquarters, Town Manager Nick Milano revealed that the town’s special purpose stabilization fund, known as the Hurley Amendment, can only support roughly $250,000 in annual debt service at current interest rates. With the projected cost of the station overhaul reaching $15 million, the annual debt service is estimated at $1.25 million, leaving a $1 million shortfall that would require a direct hit to taxpayers. Milano explained that the town would likely pursue a two-step approval process, stating we likely need a two-step process: request design funding at Spring Town Meeting, followed by a ballot question and Town Meeting vote for the full project cost later.

The urgent need for the project stems from a critical equipment mismatch at the 1902 facility. Chief Madden described a department hamstrung by its own infrastructure, noting that modern fire apparatus are physically too large for the station’s historic bays. The doors are 10 by 10, but the fire trucks are 9' 6" wide and nearly 10 feet tall, Madden said, recounting instances where equipment had to be stripped from the tops of trucks just to fit them inside. The Chief emphasized that Milton has transitioned into an all-hazard rescue department requiring heavier trucks that carry 750 gallons of water. Department mechanic Paul added technical weight to the concerns, noting that Engine One stands at 10' 3" and simply cannot enter the building. The new firehouses use 14 by 14 doors, he noted, highlighting the obsolescence of the current 10-foot openings.

Chair Leroy defended the necessity of maintaining three stations against skepticism from the Warrant Committee. Citing a professional analysis of ten years of call data, Leroy explained that reducing the town to two stations would leave hundreds of emergency calls outside the national four-minute response standard. The answer was simply no; two stations would not meet the standards, Leroy said. With current traffic in Milton, we definitely need three.

The committee evaluated a matrix of six options ranging from minor rehabilitation to total demolition. Brian, the project’s OPM, detailed how early options to salvage the existing structure (Options 1 through 4) were complicated by engineering findings of significant seismic and steel reinforcement needs. Leroy expressed a preference for Option 5B, which involves constructing a new facility behind the existing station while repurposing the historic building. He argued this approach gives us the best of both worlds by preserving the site’s heritage while avoiding $1.5 million in temporary operations costs that would be incurred if the main station were shuttered during construction. However, committee member Gene remained wary of the 124-year-old foundations, stating, I'm not as confident in that 1902 foundation as the engineer is.

Architectural constraints further complicate the renovation path. Sean of Context Architecture warned that any renovation exceeding 51 percent of the building's value would trigger modern building codes. If you choose to renovate beyond 51%, the code requires you to harden the structure, which essentially means gutting the building to add a structural system, he explained. This regulatory "tipping point" has pushed the committee toward considering new construction that incorporates the old building as a secondary space.

Historical preservation became a focal point of the discussion during public comment. Historical Commission Chair Steve O'Donnell urged the committee to avoid a bait and switch that might lead to demolition, drawing a parallel to the loss of the old Town Hall 70 years ago. I'm advocating for the preservation and reuse of the Atherton Street station, O'Donnell said. Is that a mistake that’s going to resonate for the next 70 years? Architect and Community Preservation Committee (CPC) member Rob Bash offered a potential financial lifeline, suggesting that CPA funds could bridge the budget gap. This building's special, Bash noted, suggesting the CPC might provide upwards of $1 million to $2 million over several years. I think you’d get a lot of support from the CPC to even go higher.

Committee members appeared moved by the preservation arguments combined with the Chief’s operational requirements. Ellen noted that while she initially favored smaller-scale options, the need for spare apparatus storage made Option 3 or 5B more attractive because it restores Atherton as part of the fabric of the station while providing the space needed. Select Board member John Gillis also signaled his support for a hybrid approach, stating, I'm standing behind the Chief's opinion and Mr. O'Donnell's. I'd hate to see that building go unused. The subcommittee concluded by transitioning the data to the full committee for a final decision on which option to present at the May Town Meeting.