Plympton Fire Station Project “Reset” Sparks Debate
Committee Seeks “Tax Neutral” Plan While Chief Warns of Cutting Corners
PLYMPTON - December 11, 2025 - The Town Properties Committee officially hit the reset button on the town’s fire station project this week, prioritizing a “clean slate” approach with a goal of “tax neutrality.” However, the proposal met immediate pushback from the Fire Chief, who warned that prioritizing cost over function could repeat the mistakes of the police station construction and result in a building that fails to meet long-term needs.
The Full Story
In a major pivot from previous town campus proposals, the Plympton Town Properties Committee unveiled a new strategy for the fire station: start from scratch. The committee explicitly stated they are not carrying forward any design elements, sizes, or layouts from the previous, failed proposal. Instead, they aim to present residents with multiple options ranging in size and cost, rather than a single “take it or leave it” design.
The committee’s stated goal is to keep the project “as close to tax neutral as possible.” When pressed on how a new municipal building could possibly cost taxpayers nothing, the Committee Chair Pierre Boyer pointed to potential grants, cost-cutting measures, and offsetting costs through town growth and business revenue rather than a direct tax override alone.
“Residents will not see a single ‘take it or leave it’ design. Instead, we will present multiple options so the community can compare the size, the functionality, the estimated cost, and the tax impact.” — Pierre Boyer [23:01]
Fire Chief Cheryl Davis, however, voiced strong concerns about discarding the previous design work, which he noted had cost the town significantly in design fees. He cautioned the committee against “cutting corners,” drawing a sharp comparison to the town’s police station.
“I was here when the police station was built. It should have been a public safety building... A lot of corners were cut with that building and they’re already outgrowing [it]... Why would we put ourselves in a situation where no matter how many millions of dollars we spend... [it lasts] 10 years so that we’re not spending millions and millions of dollars again?” — Fire Chief Davis [31:05]
Davis argued that the previous design was data-driven, based on site visits to similar communities, and that slashing square footage arbitrarily to meet a financial target could compromise safety and response times. She specifically cited the police station’s sally port, which he stated is too small to fit an ambulance, increasing risk during prisoner transport.
Despite the friction, the committee emphasized that this is a “communication strategy” to ensure transparency and rebuild trust with voters who rejected the prior plan. They unanimously voted to publish their new “Public Communication Overview” to the town website.
In other business, the committee is moving forward with the Old Town House Front Door Project. Architects have submitted bid documents, and the committee authorized the release of Requests for Quotes (RFQs), aiming for construction to begin in June 2026.
Why It Matters
For Plympton residents, this marks a fundamental shift in how the town plans to pay for major capital projects. The committee’s pledge to pursue a “tax neutral” fire station suggests they are acutely aware of voter fatigue regarding tax increases. However, the Chief’s warning highlights the risk: a cheaper building now could mean higher costs later if the facility—like the police station—proves inadequate within a decade.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To approve the Town Properties Communication Policy and Process (establishing a central Gmail and Google Drive for public transparency).
Outcome: Passed
Vote: Unanimous [03:12]
Motion: To approve the architect sending out RFQs (Request for Quotes) for the Old Town House Front Door Project.
Outcome: Passed
Vote: Unanimous [15:23]
Motion: To publish the “Public Communication Overview” regarding the fire station project reset to the town website.
Outcome: Passed
Vote: Unanimous [49:18]
Motion: To supply project updates to the Select Board and Town Administrator at the end of every month.
Outcome: Passed
Vote: Unanimous [50:12]
Public Comment & Discussion
Irrigation at Baseball Fields: A representative from the Recreation Commission discussed installing irrigation at the baseball fields. They are exploring using the library well, which has sufficient capacity. The project would rely heavily on donated labor from Silver Lake vocational students. [03:47]
Batting Cages: Discussion regarding enclosing the batting cages to protect them from weather and invasive plants. The committee will check if a building permit is required. [08:52]
What’s Next
Fire Station: The committee will begin “Phase 1: Reset and Listening,” hosting sessions to gather resident feedback.
Old Town House: Bids for the front door project are due by February 12th, with a site inspection scheduled for late January.
Municipal Water Project: A preliminary project start date is set for April 1, 2026.
Next Meeting: Scheduled for Wednesday, January 7th at 6:00 PM. [50:51]