# FS1 Advisory and Community Engagement and Committee - 10/13/26


**Body:** Westwood Media Center Programming
**Date:** October 12, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Construction & Infrastructure, Public Safety, Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding


The Westwood Media Center FS1 Advisory and Community Engagement Committee met on October 13, 2026, to review the proposed Fire Station 1 project and preparations for upcoming town votes. The committee was told that the Select Board approved the project scope and budget on September 28, and that the Finance Committee unanimously recommended approval of Article 1, which would authorize an appropriation reported in the transcript as approximately $39.98 million. Voters are scheduled to consider that article at the October 26 special town meeting; a November 3 ballot question on the project’s debt exclusion is also planned. These were upcoming votes, not approvals made at this meeting. No contract award, vendor selection, or bid approval was discussed.

Discussion focused on site conditions and the planned stormwater and drainage improvements, including soil amendments, perforated piping, and an underground infiltration system. The team said the work is expected to improve surface drainage while not changing naturally high groundwater levels. If approved, design development is planned from November 2026 through summer 2027, construction is expected to begin in fall or winter 2027, and the fire department could move in mid-to-late 2029. Members also discussed outreach, public information materials, and logistics for the town meeting. A separate Article 2 would place $1 million in school-facility reimbursements into the capital and tax stabilization fund for future capital planning. The committee approved the September 28 minutes; no project spending action was taken at this meeting.

**Source:** Westwood Media Center Programming