Town Meeting took a major step toward modernizing Milton's public safety infrastructure by approving Article 36, which appropriates $1 million for the design and engineering of the Atherton Street Fire Station. The project involves a substantial renovation and the addition of three full-size apparatus bays to the historic building at 815 Blue Hill Avenue, which was originally constructed in 1901.

Fire Station Building Committee Chair Brian Walsh emphasized the critical need for the upgrades, noting that the station is the town's second busiest. The current bays can't handle a modern fire truck, Walsh explained, adding that the project is a matter of firefighter safety. This is also about the health and safety of our firefighters; the cancer rate is too high and we need decontamination areas. Town Administrator Nicholas Milano clarified that the total estimated cost for the project is $16.1 million. If funded through a standalone debt exclusion, Milano estimated the project would result in an approximately $127 increase on the average single-family home tax bill.

The proposal faced some criticism from Member Brian Kelly, who noted his disappointment that Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds were being considered for the project. We were sold on CPA for parks and community initiatives, Kelly remarked. He also raised concerns about the longevity of materials used in other recent town projects, such as the new East Milton station. Despite these concerns, the article passed with the required two-thirds majority, clearing the way for the town to return in the fall to seek construction funding.

Motion: That the town vote to appropriate the sum of 1 million for the purpose of architectural engineering and project management services for the design of an addition to and renovation of the fire station located at 815 Blue Hill Avenue Station... and to meet this appropriation, the treasurer with the approval of the select board is authorized to borrow said amount.

Vote: Passed 192-6-0