Home / VOL. VII NO. 09 05/01/2026 / Notes from the Fire Station Planning Committee, April 16, 2026, Hybrid meeting

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Notes from the Fire Station Planning Committee, April 16, 2026, Hybrid meeting

The last public meeting of this committee was Fall 2025. The committee is now chaired by Peter Socha. Members include Scott Muir, Jay Bikofsky, Bruce Auerbach, and Travis Searing.

The committee met with Skanska construction.

Skanska will serve as project manager and conduct a Feasibility study. The feasibility study includes site selection, selection of an architect/designer, construction options related to sustainability. They discussed designer selection and next steps in a feasibility study.

The plan is for a new forehouse to be built and a paid staff of fire fighters and EMTs to be hired. It is envisioned as a joint effort with other towns such as West Stockbridge. Since the new firehouse would serve more than Stockbridge, a study was concluded with respect to locating the firehouse. Location dictates response time and is important. It was decided somewhere along Route 102 towards West Stockbridge.

The plan is described as a matter of public safety. During the budget hearings in SB and Finance Committee, Town Manager, Michael Canales said that spending will increase by more than 4% “largely driven by public safety, employee benefits, and contract obligations.” (“Notes from the SB,” SU, March 2026).

Skanska said keeping the public informed was a necessity.

Editor’s question: Generally, the voters approve implementation of projects through discussion and a vote on the budget necessary to implement at Town Meeting (TM). For example, at Town Meeting, CPC recommends projects, but voters approve or reject them. Salaries for Town staff is approved or rejected by the voters at TM. Town Meeting is preceded by public forums dedicated to voters asking questions and making suggestions before details are finalized. Details including building location, building cost, salaries of fire fighters and EMTs, have not been discussed in a public forum before a vote and before decisions. To Town Administrator: is the process different when it is identified as a matter of public safety? If the answer is yes, could you explain how? Thank you

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