News Flash

Since October, the Fire Station Building Committee has been hard at work designing a new headquarters for the Tyngsborough Fire Department. Consisting of nine (9) members and two (2) associate members, the Committee has focused their efforts not just on the design but also on public engagement and outreach. Between guiding the design, the Committee has already hosted six (6) public information sessions both in-person and online and has attended regular meetings of two (2) community groups with more than five (5) scheduled in the next few weeks. The Select Board made clear that the Committee must focus on community engagement from day one to ensure residents are informed and have a say in this big project.

The next public information session is scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 6:30 PM via Zoom. You can find the Zoom details at tyngsboroughma.gov under the Calendar.

In the meantime, residents are encouraged to visit the Fire Station Building Committee's page to find the latest design documents, watch prior presentations, and see frequently asked questions.

To date, the Committee has opted for a single-story design to maximize space in the most cost-effective way and has adopted a site layout that prioritizes maintaining the charm and open nature of our Town Center. The Committee has reviewed and provided feedback on early renderings demonstrating what a new Fire Department headquarters would look like. Click here to learn more.

How can you get involved?

• Attend our upcoming information session or contact the Town Manager's Office to learn more and/or provide feedback.
• Attend a future Fire Station Building Committee Meeting. Each agenda includes a section for Citizens' Time when any member of the audience may address the Committee and provide their feedback.
• If you run, or are a member of a local community group that would be willing to have the Committee come to your future meeting to talk about the project, reach out to the Town Manager's Office. We'd be happy to join you! 

Here is a peak at the latest design documents:

Current Site Plan

Current Elevation & Proposed Floor Plan

At Town Meeting in May 2025, voters authorized a borrowing of up to $300,000 for the schematic design of a new Fire Department Headquarters. That vote followed months of planning and discussion by the Select Board, which had prioritized a new Fire Station due largely to health and safety deficiencies in the current headquarters on Kendall Road as well as due to condition and size constraints. The Kendall Road station serves as the department's headquarters and is the only staffed station in Town.

Leading up to the Town Meeting vote, the Town Manager, Fire Chief, and Select Board worked with a public safety architecture firm to identify the best location for a new building with a focus on the following:

• Town-owned parcels to avoid additional acquisition costs;
• Located within the Town Center to ensure adequate response time across town;
• Contained at least 1.67 acres of buildable land as identified by the architect based on our space program.

Following this review, the Select Board identified the town-owned parcel at 250 Middlesex Road as the best site for a new fire station based on the parameters above. The Board confirmed that while the most ideal location on the site for a new Fire Headquarters was in place of the old Winslow School, the new headquarters could be accommodated on the rear of the parcel without impacting the Winslow School.

At a joint meeting with the Historical Commission on Monday, October 6, 2025, the Select Board voted to direct the Town Manager to move forward with a schematic design of a completely new building with no reuse of any part of the Winslow School. At that same meeting, the Board formally established the Fire Station Building Committee ("FSBC") and is currently seeking applications from residents to fill the two (2) resident at-large seats. Learn more about that here.

You can review the presentation from the joint meeting here.

Additionally, on October 7, 2025, the Town awarded a contract to H2M Architects + Engineers to begin the schematic design work with a goal of having a completed schematic design and construction cost estimates ready in time to be considered as early as the May 2026 Annual Town Meeting.

Next Steps:

1. October 20, 2025 — The Select Board is expected to review and appoint the members of the Fire Station Building Committee, including a representative from the Select Board and two (2) residents at large.
2. October 20, 2025 — The Select Board will contemplate the preferred location of a new building on the site. Should the Select Board determine that building the new Fire Headquarters in the place of the Winslow School is the best approach, funding to demolish the Winslow School would require Town Meeting approval — likely included in the vote to fund the overall project.

Members of the public who wish to provide input, specifically around the placement of the building on the site, may do so during Citizen and Business time at the October 20, 2025, Select Board meeting or by submitting written comments for the Board's consideration to administration@tyngsboroughma.gov. 

To learn more about the project and review related documents, visit the Fire Station Building Committee page here.

The National Weather Service has issued an exrtreme heat warning for Tyngsborough due to forecasted temperatures that will see a heat index of up to 110.

Residents are advised to use caution & remain vigilent. Specifically:

• Avoid spending too much time outside.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Keep pets inside as much as possible.
• Never leave pets or children in vehicles for any period of time.
• Check on vulnerable neighbors & report unsafe conditions to the Tyngsborough Fire Department by calling 978-649-7671 or in the event of an emergency, call 911

Residents are reminded that the Town Beach on Lake Mascuppic is open and residents may obtain the required parking pass at Town Hall in the Recreation Department or Town Manager's Office. 

Additionally, residents may escape the heat by visiting the Tyngsborough Public Library or the Center for Active Living. The Tyngsborough Fire Department and CERT Team will staff the Center for Active Living until 8:00 PM on Monday and Tuesday evening for folks to escape the heat beyond normal business hours.

Should a large-scale power outage develop, the Town will evaluate the need to open a cooling center for additional hours.

Eastern Massachusetts has experienced an elevated risk for outdoor fires due to the moderate drought, very low humidity, and dry brush conditions typical of the Fall season. These conditions are expected to continue though the week, as we also see an increase in wind gusts. 

Outside fires will ignite easily, and spread rapidly. Please remember that the following activities are Prohibited:

• Burning leaves
• Burning construction materials, debris, or trash
• Burning brush without a permit (issued Jan 15 -Apr 30)
• Fires that are too close to a building, too large, or otherwise a hazard

While the Fire and Police departments usually respond to reports of outside fires that appear to be unmanned, uncontrolled, or a nuisance; in these conditions we will be proactively looking for any signs of outside fires. I ask that you refrain from any cooking or recreational, outside fires, including chimeneas and other containers, for at least 1 week, or until conditions change.

Thank you

Wes Russell, Fire Chief