Newington Fire Department Facilities Project Building Committee Reviews Redesigned Station Plans

Town Council · Meeting of February 19, 2026

CT NEWINGTON — Newington's Fire Department Facilities Project Building Committee advanced a revised conceptual design for a replacement Company 4 fire station at its February 18 meeting. Architect Bob Roach of Friar Architecture presented updated floor plans incorporating fire department requests, including a second stairwell, a squared-off building footprint, an enlarged second-floor kitchen, and gear wash and breathing apparatus storage relocated directly off the apparatus bays. Assistant Chief Tom LaPierre, sitting in for the fire chief, said the chief "was very, very pleased" with the revisions.

A committee member raised pointed concerns that the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing narrative submitted for the project appeared to contain copy-and-paste language from other jobs, including references to Tunxis Road utilities and a diesel generator the chief has already asked be changed to natural gas. A Phase 1 environmental survey of the site was completed the morning of the meeting. The committee canceled its February 26 session and set March 18 as its next meeting, when a first cost estimate is expected.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 780 words

Source: the Town Council meeting of February 19, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

NEWINGTON — February 19, 2026 — The Fire Department Facilities Project Building Committee reviewed a revised conceptual design for a new fire station at its February 18 meeting, with the project's architect presenting layout changes requested by the fire department and the panel pressing for tighter specifications before a cost estimate arrives later this month.

The committee heard from Bob Roach of Friar Architecture, who walked members through updates to both floors of the proposed station. A cost estimate from an outside estimator is expected by the end of the week, and the committee set its next substantive meeting for Wednesday, March 18.

The Full Story

Bob Roach, the project architect from Friar Architecture, presented the revised conceptual floor plan, incorporating feedback relayed through the fire department. Key changes include the addition of a second stairwell — required by the department even though code allowed for only one — a squared-off building footprint replacing an earlier notched design, a relocated and enlarged kitchen on the second floor, and a consolidated gear storage room on the first floor. Gear wash and self-contained breathing apparatus storage were moved to positions directly adjacent to the apparatus bays.

Assistant Chief Tom LaPierre attended in place of Fire Chief Tremor and relayed the chief's reaction to the revisions.

"On behalf of Chief Tremor, in our discussion today, he was very pleased working with Bob, and I believe all of the issues that he had have been addressed and he was very happy with the plan." [no timestamp] — Assistant Chief Tom LaPierre

Committee members raised several design and engineering questions. One member asked whether the concrete apron in front of the apparatus bays should be upgraded to a heavier-duty specification, citing the weight of modern fire apparatus. Roach said the civil engineers would meet Department of Transportation standards but agreed the question warranted further review, and Chairman Steve Woods suggested pricing the heavier apron as an add alternate so the committee could weigh the cost before committing.

Another member raised concerns about the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing narrative submitted to the committee, suggesting portions appeared to have been copied from another project. The narrative references utilities coming from Tunxis Road — a location not associated with the station site — and mentioned a training room and solar panels that had not been discussed by the committee. The narrative also specified a diesel-fueled generator, which LaPierre said the chief had already asked the design team to change to natural gas, consistent with the department's other generators. Roach acknowledged the narrative was an initial draft and said he would work with the MEP firm to correct project-specific details.

"This was an initial draft just to get something on paper for the estimate and something that definitely needs to be dialed in. And I'm sure that portions were copied and pasted from previous specs, previous bulletins for other fire stations." [no timestamp] — Bob Roach, Friar Architecture

Woods also raised the question of whether the town would pursue LEED certification for the building, noting that Newington has not typically pursued that designation. He said the committee would need to weigh that option once initial cost estimates are in hand, given the need to present the project to taxpayers.

A committee member reported that a Phase 1 environmental survey of the site was completed the morning of February 18, with surveyors conducting a walkthrough, taking notes, and photographing the property. Roach said any findings that affect site work costs would be incorporated into the initial project estimate.

The committee canceled its February 26 meeting because the revised plans and estimate will not be ready in time. The next meeting is scheduled for March 18.

Why It Matters

The Fire Department Facilities Project Building Committee is working toward a replacement station for Newington's Company 4, a facility the committee chair acknowledged many residents may not know exists. The project must eventually go before taxpayers, making the upcoming cost estimate a critical milestone. If the estimate comes in over an unstated threshold, the committee will face decisions about which design features to carry forward, cut, or price as alternates. The Phase 1 environmental report, the refined MEP narrative, and the first full cost estimate are all expected before the March 18 meeting, when the committee intends to take what Roach called a "final crack" at the design.

Key Motions & Votes

- Vote: Approval of minutes from the January 21, 2026 regular meeting Tally: Approved unanimously

• Action: February 26, 2026 meeting canceled; next meeting rescheduled to March 18, 2026 — Continued to March 18, 2026

Source

Newington's community access TV: Fire Department Facilities Project Building Committee meeting, February 18, 2026