Ballot Question 5 – Fire Station Renovations/Replacement

“The baby is 55 years old!”

According to Fire Chief John Sullivan, the average age of Brookline’s fire stations is 93.5 years, and the baby – Babcock Street fire station – is 55.

Like us humans, the wear and tear, the need to modernize and to meet current standards, and the ability to adapt to change are all urgent and pressing issues for Brookline’s five fire stations. The need is even more pressing since the Commonwealth of MA adopted stringent federal OSHA standards in February 2019, which will require upgrades in all stations’ electrical, plumbing and HVAC.

Chief Sullivan was joined by Select Board Chair Heather Hamilton and Deputy Town Administrator for Policy and Fiscal Affairs Melissa Goff at the October 21st virtual Friday Conversation co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Brookline and the Brookline Rotary Club. They explained the circumstances and conditions that have led to Ballot Question #5 – Fire Station Decontamination, Renovations and Replacement – which is listed below the four statewide ballot questions on Brookline voters’ November 8th election ballot.

Question 5 reads as follows, unfortunately with no explanation: Shall the Town of Brookline be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bonds issued in order to renovate, remediate, and modernize all the Town fire stations, including site work and reconstruction of Station 5, located at 49 Babcock Street?

If you vote “yes,” you are voting for a Proposition 2-1/2 Debt Exclusion to cover the cost of town-purchased bonds to cover the project cost. Once those bonds are paid off there is no more property tax burden on Brookline residents.

Here’s the explanation.

The Problem:

Brookline’s fire stations are old. They have served the town well, but the health impacts of toxins, the living conditions within the fire stations, and the inequitable accommodations for female firefighters are long overdue matters to be addressed.

The rate of cancers and other health risks increases over time as firefighters are exposed to different chemicals, toxins and carcinogens. Many of these contaminants are within the fire stations themselves, where diesel fire engines are stored and where kitchen facilities and food, as well as living accommodations are close by. Unfortunately, as we move into the 21st century, cancer has outpaced heart and lung damage as the #1 killer of firefighters, especially causing deaths post retirement.

Women have been Brookline firefighters for 30 years, but accommodations and restroom facilities have never been equitable compared to men’s. Part of the problem is space, exacerbated at times by proximity to toxins. One female firefighter explained that she has been sick for two years and has decided not to have children as a result of her exposure to toxins, partly due to where her accommodations are located.

The Plan: Chief Sullivan explained that the department’s strategic objectives include decontamination of existing structures and contents to the extent possible; instituting “environmental zoning” through HVAC controls to limit spread of contaminants and toxins in personnel living spaces; upgrading wiring; and creating private, gender neutral bathrooms with each pod having a changing area, toilet, shower and sink.

The anticipated order of renovations/replacement with a total timeline of 5-7 years:

1. Station #4, Boylston St. at Reservoir Road (two companies, a ladder and an engine)
2. Station #1, 140 Washington St., Brookline Village (on the National Historic Register)
3. Station #5, 49 Babcock St. replacement (less expensive to tear down and rebuild in order to meet all standards)
4. Station #6, 962 Hammond St.
5. Station #7, 665 Washington St. (on the National Historic Register)

Expectation to meet the environmental goals of Town Meeting and the Town:

The Chief discussed how the renovations and replacement of Station #5 will help meet the mandates of the Town Meeting and the Town to become fossil fuel free, and to get as close as possible to net zero emissions. Station #5 will meet the highest standards of a green building that can be reached by fire stations.

He recomends that any electric vehicle (EV) initiative should be part of a comprehensive town-wide EV Fleet Plan, which could leverage state and federal funding to best serve the constituency.

The Cost: Heather Hamilton, Brookline Select Board Chair, stated that the SB has approved the $65 million price tag for the renovations and a new Babcock Street station. After much experience with debt exclusions, she is confident the final figure meets the costs, the impact of inflation, possible supply chain issues, and enabling “net zero readiness” of all fire stations.

Ms. Hamilton agreed with one of the attendees that ongoing maintenance and upkeep of fire stations – indeed all municipal facilities – is a priority and necessary. But, sufficient public funds for this task are always an issue. Chief Sullivan emphasized he would prioritize consistent maintenance of all the renovated stations and the new Station #5.

Your Personal Calculator: Melissa Goff, Deputy Town Administrator, explained next steps. First, the ballot question for the debt exclusion must be approved by Brookline voters on Nov. 8th. Second, appropriation of the money must be authorized by the November Town Meeting. If it is authorized, then, when the Fire Station improvement plans are complete, borrowing for the capital improvements can begin and the 25-year debt exclusion will start. The borrowing will not be all at once.

The Town has launched a tool on the Town website for residents to enter their address and calculate their cost - try it out at http://bit.ly/3feexca.

Friday Conversation recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-F69pzZNwQ

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that encourages informed discourse and active participation in government and that works to influence public policy through education and advocacy.