Opinion By Terry Masterson

As the Town of Amherst begins to plan for a new Department of Public Works facility, it should also simultaneously plan for the construction of the long overdue Fire Station either alongside the DPW Center or in another location.

One reason for this suggestion is that the Fire Station will be much smaller in size than the DPW facility, raising the concern of building twice and not once. The DPW facility may end up occupying 80,000 square feet and the Fire Station may only require 30,000 square feet. Why exclude the smaller building now and then duplicate the entire planning, financing and construction cycle all over again? Also consider that these two important projects are long overdue.     

Constructing these buildings separately and over many years will substantially increase costs due to: (a.) inflation, (b)cost of materials, (c.) labor and (d.) interest rate changes. As an example: a $10 to $15 million cost escalation, not including municipal bond interest would cost an Amherst home upwards of $1,500 above the cost of unified construction. Consider that the unrealized 2006 Fire Station Report projected a $14M construction cost, but in 2026 this cost may be $24M to $35M which is a cost escalation of 71% to 150%.      

Easton MA and Abington MA Co-locate Their Buildings

The Town of Easton MA is currently building a large joint Fire/Public Safety/DPW Facility and have stated that building separately and years apart will add significant cost escalations. Easton estimates that their Fire Sub Station which would have cost $20M in 2024 could cost $27M or 35% more in 2029 and $34M or 70% more in 2034. The Town of Abington MA is currently completing construction of a co-located $38.5 million joint Fire and DPW Center with an opening in 2027. See attached photo.

Tightened Town Tax Base

As many residents know, the Amherst tax base is uniquely burdened with several millstones: 

1. An imbalanced 88% residential tax base
2. A low quantity of tax revenue generating properties or “rateables” such as hotels, retail and commercial properties, and,
3. Several substantially sized tax exempt academic properties.

According to the Commonwealth Dept. of Revenue, the 2025 Amherst Family Tax Burden is $9,693, Hadley is $5,279, Northampton is $7,479 and Chicopee is $4,305.  

Researching Construction Potentials

It is important to note that the following research suggestions are not perfect, ideal, optimal or conclusive but in times of extreme tax revenue realities they may be operable and affordable.    

1. Build the DPW and Fire facilities together at the current DPW 586 S. Pleasant St. site.
2. Build the Fire Station on a separate location but together and not years apart.
3. If capacity at the current DPW location is a limitation then consider transferring seasonal and dormant DPW equipment off site in order to include Fire and DPW together. 

Summary

Amherst should consider building both the Fire and DPW buildings either together or consecutively in order to save construction costs, limit taxation, and achieve construction completion for two critically needed public safety facilities that were planned for completion over 20 years ago.