OXFORD — Local businessman and developer Bob Bahre has announced plans to give the North End Fire Station on Pottle Road to the town.

The plan is to replace it with one that will accommodate modern-day trucks.

“We’ve talked about it for the past five years. We really need to redo that station,” fire Chief Scott Hunter said.

The station houses an engine and an ambulance.

The main fire station is at the Oxford Public Safety Building about five miles away on Route 26 in the south end of town. The complex is also the headquarters of the Police Department.

The North End station is one story with two bays about 10 feet tall and 10 feet wide. It does not have enough room for late-model fire equipment, Hunter said.

The transfer of the deed from Bahre, who has a home on Paris Hill, is underway. It would provide the town with the building and small lot it sits on.

Hunter said the town has been using the building since 1969 or 1970. It was leased through Bahre primarily to protect commercial properties Bahre owns in the vicinity and private residences in the area. The station reduced the town’s insurance significantly, Hunter said.

“Bob thought it was best to give it to the town,” he said.

The plan is to build a two-story station, with equipment and an office on the first floor and housing for a future daytime shift of firefighters on the second.

The Central Fire Station on Route 26 has four firefighters on duty during the day, but relies on volunteers for nighttime coverage. The daytime firefighters are paid per diem but receive no benefits.

ldixon@sunjournal.com