A voter-approved project to build a central station for Harpswell’s municipal fire and rescue workers is facing setbacks on multiple fronts, including construction cost increases and possible delays to address environmental concerns.
The town has proposed a 12,000-square-foot fire and rescue station to house its growing cadre of paid emergency services staff and allow faster response times to addresses in north and central Harpswell. Voters approved borrowing up to $6 million for the project in June 2025.
Harpswell has three independent, volunteer fire departments, but as volunteerism has declined, the town has supplemented their efforts with staff firefighters. It also has a contract with Mid Coast Hospital for 24/7 paramedic services, and the paramedics would share the new station.
This spring, Harpswell formed a six-member Emergency Services Building Committee to oversee the building’s design and construction. Its members include Select Board Chair Kevin Johnson; David Mercier, fire chief with Harpswell Neck Fire and Rescue; Benjamin Wallace Jr., fire chief with the Cundy’s Harbor Volunteer Fire Department and the Orr’s and Bailey Islands Fire Department; and local fire and rescue volunteers Nelson Barter, Aaron Despres and Mason Smith.
So far, the committee has met on April 23, May 7 and May 21, along with the project’s construction manager, architect, engineering firm and town staff. They’ve discussed challenges such as rising construction costs and possible delays related to a small stream or wetland area found on the planned building site.
Town Administrator Kristi Eiane said the project is currently in its preconstruction phase, which involves working with construction manager Wright-Ryan, architect Port City Architecture and engineering firm Mechanical Systems Engineers Inc. to finalize design and construction plans.
“The current project timeline considers starting (construction) in the fall,” Eiane said in an email. “However, we have encountered some environmental challenges that need to be evaluated and if permitting is required, it could slow down the start date.”
Eiane said the initial site plan would have required a potentially costly relocation of the entrance to the town’s Recycling Center and Transfer Station. The current proposal wouldn’t require road relocation and reconstruction, “but may require environmental permitting, which could take some time.”
At its May 7 meeting, the committee discussed how the recent discovery of a possible stream on the site could trigger a required inspection by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, which could delay the start of construction until spring 2027 or later.
Another concern is rising construction costs, Eiane said. While the town continues to aim for a $6 million project, its estimated “hard costs” alone have increased from $4.8 million to $6.2 million — more than the amount voters approved. Hard costs refer to the expense of construction itself, while “soft costs” include design and permitting.
Harpswell is pursuing two separate approaches to resolve the cost issue. It has been working with Port City Architecture on alternative plans that could include using less expensive materials, reducing the building’s footprint, or deferring buildout of some interior areas, such as extra sleeping quarters that won’t be needed right away.
In addition, the town has requested $1.5 million in “congressionally directed spending” — also known as earmarks — a form of federal funding that allows members of Congress to seek money for specific local projects. Eiane said both U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King have forwarded the request to the Senate Appropriations Committee, which Collins chairs.
Harpswell’s request would need to be included in one of Congress’ annual appropriations bills, approved by both chambers and signed by the president. Congress is supposed to complete those bills by Oct. 1, but lawmakers often use continuing resolutions to keep the government funded temporarily, which could delay a final decision.
“Last year, we applied for $1 million, and our application did not move to the next round,” Eiane said. “This year, our $1.5 million application has advanced in the appropriations process.”
Harpswell opted to hire Wright-Ryan under a model known as “construction manager at risk.” It involves hiring a construction firm to collaborate with the architect, line up subcontractors, and steer the project through to completion while committing to finishing the work for a set maximum price, barring major changes.
However, the project’s price isn’t guaranteed to remain at $6 million, Eiane said, as the maximum price has yet to be finalized.
She said the town is still aiming for a $6 million project. Committee members have said the additional $1.5 million, if approved by Congress, could be used for a second construction phase to add square footage or other building features in the future.
“We have a very engaged group of people working together on a common goal of getting a building constructed that meets the needs of the town now and into the future at a cost we can afford,” Eiane said.
