Tyngsborough Fire Committee Approves Category 1 Cuts, Targets $20 Million Station

Fire Building Committee · Meeting of July 29, 2026

Tyngsborough's Fire Station Building Committee agreed on a slate of design reductions aimed at bringing a $24.8 million fire station proposal below $20 million, sending the list to architects H2M for validation. At the July 29 meeting, the committee reviewed survey results from 247 respondents showing nearly 80 percent would support a new fire station if cost were reduced, and 47.8 percent specifically called for scope cuts. Fire Chief Russell argued against reducing apparatus bays below four, saying a three-bay station would replicate current conditions in which critical apparatus must be stored offsite in winter, and the committee reached consensus on four bays, eliminating one at a savings of roughly $840,000.

Category 1 reductions, including dropping from eight to six bunk rooms, eliminating the geothermal system, downsizing the kitchen and day room by 15 to 20 percent, and changing apparatus bay cladding from masonry to structural steel, are projected collectively to save up to $4.2 million. The committee will present its community-listening findings to the Select Board at a joint meeting August 10, with H2M's validation expected to provide firmer numbers shortly after.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,988 words

Source: the Fire Building Committee meeting of July 29, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.