ROYALSTON – The future of what is known to residents as Fire Station #1 has become a regular topic at recent Selectboard and Building Committee meetings.

The relatively small structure is located next to the First Congregational Church at 15 The Common. It’s estimated the station—originally made to accommodate a horse-drawn fire apparatus—was built in the mid to late-1800s. The station is now being used to store an antique fire truck and other miscellaneous equipment.

Selectboard Vice Chair Rick Martin told fellow board members Deb D’Amico and Shelby Bronnes that Public Works Superintendent Jaret Thiem has estimated the cost of repairing the building at approximately $50,000.

“Basically, at this point in time it’s a glorified storage shed,” Martin said. “And we just found out last year that the building is owned by the town, but it sits on church property. So, would this be a time to dispose of the building or offer it to the church or the Historic District Commission for a buck?”

One reason for exploring the sale of the building, said Martin, “It would cost as much money to tear it down and cart it away as it would to repair it – and keep repairing it every so many years.”

In addition to the repair costs, Martin noted that the town must also pay for insurance on the station every year. Whoever takes ownership of the building would be responsible for maintaining it, he stressed. Should the building be sold, anything still inside could be moved to the Raymond School. Thiem added that a restored hearse which also occupies space in the station could be moved to the hearse house at Royalston Center Cemetery once renovations there are complete.

“So would the board be willing to offer that kind of a deal to other entities in town in order to reduce costs to the townspeople?” Martin asked.

When asked if there was any historical significance to the building, Martin said he wasn’t sure. He said the town built the station and selling it would require a Town Meeting vote.

D’Amico suggested that Martin and Thiem explore all the steps the town would need to take to dispose of Fire Station #1 and report back with a plan for removing it from the inventory of town-owned buildings.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.

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