LIVERMORE FALLS — The Fire Department Committee is addressing the needed repairs at the fire station while being conscious of cost, Selectman Mary Young told the board Tuesday evening.

“One of the critical pieces we looked at was what were the immediate needs,” said Young, a member of the committee.

Among the issues identified were leaks, furnace repairs and insurance coverage that has been removed, Young said.

“The time frame to address it is what direction does the town want to go?” she said.

Young said an engineer gave rough estimates for the work “but can we confirm those with area contractors?”

Additionally, she said, for the building to get insurance, the roof trusses must be fixed, but the floor, walls, water filtration and heating system will also need work.

“We don’t foresee this happening this year,” Young said, because contractors had already been booked.

The town received a $316,000 estimate to bring it up to code, not including foundation work, Town Manager Kristal Flagg said.

“This fix is not going to satisfy the needs of the Fire Department,” Selectman Louise Chabot said. “They’re going to want wider doors. It’s not just fixing the roof and water leaks.”

Selectman Ron Chadwick noted the worst part of the roof was from the center weight-bearing wall to the back of the building. He suggested putting a pitched metal roof on the back half of the building.

“We could get away with building half a wall or half a roof for two years if you want to address that and then address the front of the building and put a double pitched wall on it,” Chadwick said.

Selectman James Collins asked whether there had ever been any discussions about making the building wider or longer.

“We can enlarge those bays now by putting a header in,” Chadwick said.

He pointed out that the boiler needs work. The town has the option of getting a wood pellet boiler or buying a gas boiler and getting a long-term contract on propane, he said.

“Our main thought is to make the building safe,” Chadwick said.

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