WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Prudential Committee decided recently to move forward with finding an owner's project manager to help the fire district develop a plan to build a new station on Main Street.

 

At its Wednesday meeting, held via video conference, four members of the five-person board that governs the fire district decided to draft a Request for Services to issue in hopes of finding an OPM.

 

It would be the latest in a series of steps the district has taken to develop the 3.7-acre parcel next to Aubuchon Hardware that voters agreed to purchase in 2017.

 

Last year, Municipal Resources Inc. of New Hampshire conducted a comprehensive needs assessment for the fire district that found, in part, "The Water Street Fire Headquarters no longer provides efficient and effective shelter for fire apparatus and equipment."

 

Although the district has for years been making plans to replace the Water Street facility, district officials at Wednesday's meeting argued that the likely aftermath of the current health crisis will create opportunities for public safety projects like the new station.

 

"I am of the opinion right now that with everything that has occurred the last 30 to 60 days … there's going to be money coming forward for departments such as this, and we could realize a real windfall for this department," said David Moresi, who was elected to the committee late last year when it expanded from three to five members. "We should all get together and develop a plan sooner rather than later."

 

Veteran Prudential Committee member Ed Briggs agreed, as did the district's clerk/treasurer.

 

"Money is going to be flowing, and shovel-ready projects are going to get the green light," Corydon Thurston said. "We need the OPM to help us get the architect selected and the drawings done. … It's all about getting the design ready to go so you can plop the plan in front of the feds."

 

Chairman John Notsley cautioned that it might be premature to present voters with a warrant article to begin paying for the project, but Thurston countered the committee could ask for authorization to borrow a modest amount, like $500,000, for design work.

 

"That's not going to have a huge tax impact, and it can be rolled into a construction bond later," Thurston said. "It's a phase of the project. I think we'll have the town's endorsement on that."

 

And, Thurston argued, that by getting a project "shovel ready" and eligible for post-pandemic grant opportunities, the fire district would potentially save its voters money.

 

"If we're not ready and lose out on grant funding, it's all going to be on the backs of the taxpayers, and it's going to be a bigger bill," Thurston said.

 

The committee members agreed to draft an RFS for an owner's project manager based on the procurement document issued last fall by the city of Greenfield, which also is looking to build a new fire station.

 

"Once there is an OPM in place, we have a path going forward," Moresi said. "That's what their job is, to be the leader of this whole process."

 

The Prudential Committee on Wednesday also discussed assembling a building committee to help guide the process. Thurston recommended that the committee cast a wide net, including residents of the district who do not currently have ties to the fire department but who could be valuable resources in the process.

 

The committee discussed having more frequent meetings in addition to its regular monthly meetings to get the OPM selection process on track.

 

In other business on Wednesday, Chief Craig Pedercini gave the committee an update on local efforts to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, including the work of the Northern Berkshire COVID-19 Operations Center.

 

"They're the center for receiving any type of personal protective equipment we may want to get," Pedercini said. "It's working really well. I think things are funneling into the command center. We have daily phone conversations pretty much every day. It's a great thing to get in on it and listen."

 

Pedercini said that in addition to himself, Williamstown's town manager, police chief and health inspector all participate in the calls.

 

"We're hearing things that are important to us, for instance how many people we do have in isolation who might potentially have COVID and how many who tested positive," he said. "We're allowed to know their addresses but obviously not allowed to know who they are. That's against HIPPA regulations.

 

"The biggest issue right now has been the Williamstown Commons [nursing home]. As of today, there have been 14 deaths over there and 45 to 50 people, I think, who they have quarantined. That's a real hot spot for our area — not just Williamstown but the Northern Berkshire area."

 

As for the fire station itself, Pedercini closed it down to visitors several weeks ago and acquired disinfectant supplies to clean the facility.

 

"If everybody takes care of themselves and does a little extra when they're at the station, I think we'll be OK," he said.

 

To date, all of the department's regular call volunteer firefighters are healthy, Pedercini reported. One person who is a part-time resident and helps the department out while in Williamstown has tested positive.

 

"He's managing," Pedercini said. "But you can tell he has this nasty cough that he can't get rid of. My recommendation was to stay in New York."