Hanover officials are considering a roughly $7 million expansion and renovation of the town's fire headquarters, a project designed to address aging facilities, improve firefighter safety and extend the building's useful life for decades. Fire Chief Jay Cavallaro and architect Mark Saccoccio presented preliminary designs to the Select Board on Nov. 2, outlining a project that would add apparatus bays, modernize firefighter living quarters and upgrade building systems. The proposal could go before voters at the May 2027 annual Town Meeting.
The project comes as Hanover continues to face challenges with plans for a separate fire station in North Hanover. Cavallaro said the town has not identified a viable location for a second station and must also consider staffing requirements and financial constraints. However, he emphasized that the need for improved fire coverage in that part of town has not disappeared.
"The geographic need for a fire station in North Hanover remains the same. That need has been there for decades and it hasn't changed," Cavallaro said.
Regardless of whether a second station is eventually constructed, Cavallaro said improvements to the existing headquarters are necessary. The building's current configuration presents challenges for daily operations, equipment storage and accommodating the department's workforce.
The proposed expansion would add four bays, including three apparatus bays and a dedicated maintenance bay. The addition would be connected to the existing headquarters by a covered walkway and include improved equipment storage and support spaces.
Renovations to the existing building would address outdated sleeping and bathroom facilities. Firefighters currently use dormitory-style sleeping quarters with makeshift privacy partitions, while bathroom facilities have been adapted to accommodate both male and female firefighters.
The proposal would replace those arrangements with private bunk rooms and individual bathrooms, providing greater privacy and more functional accommodations for department personnel. The project would also improve the storage and ventilation of firefighting equipment, including protective gear that can be exposed to hazardous materials during emergency responses. The proposed improvements are intended to address firefighter health and safety while bringing the facility closer to modern fire station standards. Saccoccio explained that the existing headquarters remains structurally sound, making renovation and expansion a more practical option than replacing the entire building. The improvements are intended to extend its useful life by approximately 20 to 30 years.
"The building is in, the bones are generally in good shape. There's been work that's been done to it and with some additional upgrades, it's a good investment in a building," Saccoccio said.
The proposed renovations would also address aging infrastructure, including roofing and mechanical systems. Construction would be phased to allow the fire department to continue operating from the headquarters throughout the project.
The preliminary estimate includes approximately $4.5 million in construction costs, increasing to $5.4 million with a 20% contingency. Design fees, project management and other expenses bring the subtotal to approximately $6.6 million. Factoring in anticipated construction cost increases brings the overall estimate to slightly more than $7 million.
The project remains in the conceptual planning stage. Preliminary estimates assume construction could begin in 2027 or 2028, depending on funding and the completion of additional planning and design work.
Select Board member James Hoyes asked whether the estimate included furnishings and equipment necessary to make the renovated facility operational. Saccoccio confirmed that the budget includes a $125,000 allowance for furniture and equipment.
The town may also be able to offset a portion of the project cost by selling municipal properties that would no longer be needed under the proposed arrangement. Town Manager Joe Colangelo said the proposal could allow Hanover to sell two properties, potentially generating an estimated $500,000 to $750,000. He noted that actual proceeds would depend on the sales and that returning the properties to the tax rolls could provide an additional financial benefit.
Select Board members responded favorably to the preliminary designs while asking questions about costs, building access and the functionality of the proposed layout. Select Board Chair Greg Satterwhite, who toured the headquarters with board member Rachel Hughes, described the need for improvements, particularly in the building's upstairs living quarters.
Saccoccio said the proposal has undergone several revisions based on discussions with fire department personnel. Additional refinements could address training areas and the connection between the existing building and proposed addition. Cavallaro indicated that the overall scope is unlikely to change significantly as officials continue developing the project.
The Select Board took no formal action on the proposal Nov. 2. Officials discussed continuing the planning and design process ahead of potential funding consideration at the May 2027 Town Meeting.
