From left: Chief Robert Hart, Selectman David Martin, Selectman Jon Benson, Public Facilities Superintendent Andrea Ristine, Selectman Dean Charter, Selectman Joan Gardner, Representative Dan Sena, Selectman Jim Snyder-Grant, Representative Tami Gouviea, Finance Committee member Sahana Purohit, Senator Jamie Eldridge and Town Manager John Mangiaratti. (Photo courtesy of the Town of Acton) 
From left: Selectman Jim Snyder-Grant, Selectman Dean Charter, Finance Committee member Sahana Purohit, former Fire Chief Robert Craig, Fire Chief Robert Hart and Selectman Jon Benson. (Photo courtesy of the Town of Acton).
ACTON — Town Manager John Mangiaratti and Fire Chief Robert Hart are pleased to announce that ground was broken on the new North Acton Fire Station at a ceremony earlier this week.
The ceremonial groundbreaking was held on Monday, Oct. 19, for the project, which will result in a new facility at 68 Harris St.
Work began last month, and the $9.2 million project is expected to be completed in approximately 14 months. Voters approved the funding of the project as well as a debt exclusion last December. Prior to that, $750,000 was appropriated for the design of the building.
Approximately 50 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony on Monday at the construction site for the new building. All who attended were required to wear a face mask or covering, and to practice social distancing.
“This building will be much easier to work and operate in, and help to keep our members safe,” Chief Hart said. “We’re so grateful to the community for their overwhelming support throughout the entire process, and to all who helped with the design and implementation. We are beyond excited for the new building to be finished.”
The new North Acton Fire Station will provide members with an upgraded facility that provides more space and additional health and safety features. This includes properly sized garage bays, modern HVAC systems, gear storage, and decontamination equipment. Training spaces for members will be incorporated in the building as well. As part of the Town’s commitment to clean energy solutions, solar panels will be installed on the roof and a geothermal heating system will be installed in the ground so that it will not have to connect to natural gas.
Additionally, a sidewalk will be installed along Harris Street to improve pedestrian safety in the area.
“This project will help to address numerous needs we’ve identified in our community,” Town Manager Mangiaratti said. “We are proud to be able to offer this invaluable resource for our Fire Department so that they can continue to provide the highest possible level of service to our residents.”
More information about the project can be found on the Town’s website here.
This is the first station to be placed in this part of Acton and will help to improve response times for the area. The site used to house offices for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
The architect for the project is Kaestle Boos Associates, Inc, the project manager is PMA Consultants, Inc. and the general contractor is Hutter Construction.
A time capsule will be installed in the front cornerstone of the building during the ribbon cutting ceremony next year. Those who wish to suggest items for the time capsule should reach out to the Town Manager’s Office at manager@actonma.gov.
To view a video of the ceremony, click here.
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