Wayland Fire Station #2, located at 154 Main St., is currently boarded up due to an accident.
Town Manager Michael McCall said on Feb. 14 that the accident occurred when a fire truck was leaving the station to respond to an emergency call. When pulling out of the fire station, the firefighter did not see in his side view mirror that the high-side compartment door was left open. He was driving at a low speed when the high-side cabinet door struck the brick pillar between the two bay doors, damaging the brick center column.
Given the building’s age and construction type, McCall said the town hired an engineer to review the structural integrity of the center brick column before making repairs. The town is still awaiting the engineer’s estimate.
“No insurance claim has been submitted at this time,” he said.
In an earlier discussion, McCall speculated that the damage to the building and the fire truck could be within or near the insurance deductibles, since they were increased this year to save money. He said he is working with the Fire Chief Neil McPherson and Facilities Director Mike Faia to resolve the issue.
According to McCall, the town must comply with the state’s Central Purchasing/Central Services Division procurement process, which involves the Mass. Inspector General’s office that oversees Chapter 30B of the Uniform Procurement Act.
“Nothing moves quickly in the state,” he said.
In Massachusetts, towns must follow the state’s procurement process governed by Chapter 30B. This section outlines the procedures for procuring supplies, services, and real property, ensuring fair competition for contracts funded with public money. When damages fall within or below the town’s insurance deductible, the town is responsible for the full cost of the repairs using its own public funds. If the town is paying, Chapter 30B would generally apply to those repairs.
