The new fire/EMS building planned for Thomaston
The Town of Thomaston is planning a new fire and EMS building to replace the existing one. As a concerned resident of Thomaston, I feel compelled to express my concerns and thoughts on the matter, particularly regarding the direction the decisions of the select board and appointed officials seem to be heading.
The current proposal for a $7 million Fire/EMS building, coupled with a $3.5 million bond to be paid by taxpayers, represents a significant burden on our town’s residents. The projected interest on the bond is $3.88 million. The total cost of the project is proposed to be more than $10.5 million. The cost to the taxpayers of Thomaston will be an estimated $7.3+ million ($7,385,630.82, the bond and the projected interest expense to be exact). Sources cited below.
With a population of approximately 2,800 and 2,200 registered voters, it is imperative that the select board listens to the concerns of the people it represents. The Board has a responsibility to reconsider this proposal, evaluate alternative options, and ensure that any decisions made are in the best financial and practical interests of Thomaston’s residents.
Thomaston is a modest, working-class community with limited means, and I question whether it is truly responsible to saddle our small town with such an enormous financial commitment.
The question that needs to be asked is: Does Thomaston really need a 15,000-square-foot, $7 million facility? A facility of this scale would conceivably be more appropriate for Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Ogunquit, Bangor, or Falmouth.
For reference, below are what other towns in Maine have spent on Fire/EMS/Police facilities in recent years.
Falmouth (Fire/EMS Station)
• Cost: Falmouth's new Fire and EMS Station, which was completed in 2017, cost $7.7 million. The facility was designed to serve the town's increasing needs and replace the outdated previous building.
Population: Around 9,000 residents.
Kennebunkport (Fire Department Renovation)
• Cost: Kennebunkport’s renovation and upgrades to its Fire Department facilities (including new training areas, expanded apparatus bays, and updated equipment) cost around $3 million. This was not a new build, but a major renovation of existing infrastructure.
Population: Around 3,500 residents. Scarborough (Fire Station)
• Cost: Scarborough’s new Fire Station, completed in 2019, cost approximately $6.2 million. The station was part of the town’s broader strategy to improve public safety infrastructure as the town grew.
Population: Around 21,000 residents.
Cumberland (Fire/EMS Station)
• Cost: Cumberland’s new Fire and EMS Station, completed in 2018, cost around $5.5 million. This facility was designed to better serve the expanding population of Cumberland and improve emergency response capabilities.
Population: Around 8,000 residents.
Bangor (Fire Station Renovations)
• Cost: Bangor did not construct an entirely new fire station in the last 10 years, but it did invest in renovations and upgrades to its Central Fire Station. The total renovation cost was approximately $7.5 million to update the facility and accommodate modern equipment and operations.
Population: Around 33,000 residents. Camden (Fire and EMS Renovation)
• Cost: Camden's extensive renovation of its Fire and EMS facilities in 2015 cost around $2.5 million. The renovation aimed to update the facilities for better operational efficiency and safety.
Population: Around 5,000 residents.
Bar Harbor (Public Safety Building Plans)
• Cost: While Bar Harbor has plans to build a new Public Safety Building for Fire and EMS services, as of now, the project has not yet been completed. However, the estimated cost for this proposed facility is around $8 million to $10 million, depending on the final design and scope of the project.
Population: Around 5,500 residents. West Rockport (Fire Building)
• Cost: West Rockport’s new Fire Station, under construction at present, is budgeted to cost approximately $5.5 million. The station is projected to be completed in 2025.
Population: Around 3,500 residents.
While the need for updated facilities for Fire and EMS services is not in dispute, the scale and cost of the building are concerns that cannot be ignored. When stakeholders were involved in the planning process, were their “dream lists” and “wish lists” of amenities scrutinized? Was there a paring process to determine what is a true “need” versus what may have been a “want”? As a town of limited means, we can certainly afford “needs,” but we must be cautious about overextending ourselves with facilities that go beyond the essential requirements.
If the best interests of the residents were genuinely considered, we would not be discussing a $10.5+ million facility that carries an immense financial responsibility. In case the source of this estimate is not clear, please see the article in Pen Bay Pilot from Dec 11, 2024. Linked in the article is table from the Town citing the $3.5 million bond with total interest expense of $3.88 million. Hence the cost to the taxpayers of Thomaston will be an estimate $7.3+ million ($7,385,630.82 to be exact).
The financial implications of this project cannot be overlooked, as they will ultimately be shouldered by the taxpayers of Thomaston. Whose interests are truly being served here? Are the best interests of the residents being served?
While an old and tired subject; in addition to the cost concerns, another question relates to the location of the proposed Fire/EMS building. The current site, the south side of town near the southern border, does not seem to be the optimal location when considering response times, population density, and the areas where calls most frequently originate. Based on these factors, it appears that the building's location was chosen more for convenience or other factors unrelated to the best interests of public safety and service to the community.
As residents, we deserve transparency and thorough consideration of all factors before such significant decisions are made. While this issue has been discussed for some time, it is important that we ask whether the current proposal truly serves the needs of the residents, or if it is driven by the agenda of town officials.
This is being submitted on behalf of concerned citizens of the Town of Thomaston.
John Smith is a resident of Thomaston