The Quonset hut contributed to the Somerville Fire Dept. in honor of Fire Chief Mike Dostie’s son is near completion. Two separate firefighter crews pieced together the building on Saturday and Sunday, one metal section at a time, working with the Ladies Auxiliary, which provided coffee, donuts and lunch.
Dostie contributed the metal structure to the fire department in honor of his son, Tom, who was killed in Iraq on Dec. 21, 2004. Following his son’s death, many people in the town made contributions, raising $19,000 toward the new fire station project, Dostie said last fall. Town selectmen decided to put the project on hold for the winter and to wait for warmer weather.
The town held off finishing the project until last weekend. The foundation had been poured last year and selectmen decided the spring would be the best time to put the rest of the building together.
First selectman David Stanley said last year the town had not appropriated any funds for the new fire station project. All the money for the project was raised through the fire department, including $3400 worth of returnable bottles and cans.
Chief Dostie said last fall many hands pitched in to help lay the foundation work and support the project. He was looking forward to the department having equipment so close to the school, which is located right next door.
“Ninety percent of our population is on this end of town,” Dostie said, referring to areas nearest the Somerville Elementary School parking lot.
Firefighters will now have handy access to equipment with the new building. Dostie said the entire town is distanced within four miles of its circumference.
The building is expected to hold two engines (trucks), all of their forestry equipment and a fire boat. The new fire station building is located next to the Somerville Elementary School on Rt. 105.