After making draconian cuts to the plans for the new firehouse Wednesday night, the Fire House Committee is still faced with reducing costs by nearly $1 million.
The total costs for the structure, as bid, would be $11,072,420, including about $1,047,760 in soft costs, according to First Selectman Matt Riiska. The town rebid four of the contracts for the building, reducing actual construction costs by $421,525, but soft costs still keep the total tab far above the $9.5 million estimated last spring.
Of the $11 million price tag, approximately $9.3 million would be for construction and the remainder would cover a contingency fund and other expenses not directly related to construction, such as insurance.
Uncertainty about Trump Administration tariffs and their effect on the market has caused contractors to dramatically increase their bids.
Accepting the inevitable, the committee voted Tuesday to eliminate much desired items: the rooftop ventilation monitor, the tower designed as both an esthetically pleasing architectural element and a facility for drying hose, and a three-bay garage.
Eliminating the garage saves approximately $337,000. Riiska did not have exact figures for how much cutting the other two elements would save but hopes it could be another $500,000. Contractors’ “allowances”—the total amount they thought they could reduce their bids to help the town—would amount to another $65,000.
Riiska said a metal Morton garage can be built later for an estimated $80,000, saving almost two-thirds of the cost of the proposed structure. It would initially be a simple shell but would at least provide cover for the department’s trailers and ATV. The firefighters would finish the building later with volunteer labor.
The firefighters have also eliminated all the furniture and kitchen appliances, planning to use those currently in the old firehouse and attempt to raise funds later for upgrades. They also cut the expensive washer and dryer required by the state for decontamination of their turnout gear and will continue to use the older machines now housed at Botelle School.
If all items are added up, the amount saved would still not bring the total cost down to $9.5 million. “I still have to find a little less than $1 million dollars to cut,” Riiska said, expressing frustration with the “ridiculous” prices bid.
“The hose tower bothers me in multiple ways,” he admitted. “Not only is it beneficial to the fire department, but it helps to define the architecture of the building. We’ve told the architect and construction managers that we want no frills—everything is to be standard, no custom colors, no epoxy on the floors. We’re doing everything we can to get the price down.”
The new, towerless design requires the committee to go back before the Planning and Zoning Commission to get approval, and the delay brings up the question of when construction can begin. Riiska noted that the bids are only good until mid-October. Also in question is what interest rates will be like at the time the town is ready to move forward.