FinCom backs $39.98 million fire station, 11-0

Finance and Warrant Commission · Meeting of October 7, 2026

WESTWOOD — The Finance and Warrant Commission voted 11-0 to back a $39,981,157 appropriation for a new Fire Station 1 at the former Deerfield School site. Officials said $34.8 million would be borrowed through a debt exclusion, with $2,527,585 in free cash, $1,153,572 from the sale of real estate fund, $1 million in meals and hotel tax revenue and $500,000 from the recreation revolving fund covering the rest. The town estimated the cost at $295 a year for the median $1,077,000 home.

Project staff said the building is 20 percent smaller than last year's rejected design, with a 10 percent design contingency now. Members questioned the $2.5 million of free cash. Voters decide at a special town meeting Oct. 26 and on Question 10 Nov. 3.

In the full story:

• Joint Public Hearing: Opening Statements
• Article 1: Scope, Budget and Process
• Financing and Timeline
• Article 2: Capital and Tax Impact Stabilization Fund
• Commission Questions
• Public Comment
• Deliberation and Votes
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 1,516 words

Source: the Finance and Warrant Commission meeting of October 7, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.