By Marcia Parnell
Work to date by the Municipal Buildings Advisory Committee indicates that the proposed replacement of the Highway Department facility at 47 Lyman Street and improvements to the ambulance station at 629 Jacobs Ladder Road (Route 20) will likely cost taxpayers a combined total of at least $10 million to $12 million and take three to five years to fully complete.
Shortcomings noted by both town officials and employees at the Becket highway and ambulance facilities were the catalyst for the creation of the Municipal Building Advisory Committee (MBAC)—initially formed as an ad hoc committee and designated as a permanent committee in July, 2025. The group of volunteers, Tim Gooding, Mark Hanford, Jan Elovirta, John Verity, and chair Jeff Wilkinson, were suited to the initiative given their combined multiple decades of experience in construction management, engineering, real estate, architecture, and fire safety. Despite the time requirements and complexity of the work, Wilkinson said, “We’re all happy to be working on something that’s important to the town.”
The Committee’s initial work consisted of a needs assessment of all town buildings. From that analysis, replacing the Highway Department garage became their first priority. It resides in a floodplain, which was identified as a critical issue in the town’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program (for more info on the state’s MVP program, go to mass.gov/municipal-vulnerability-preparedness-mvp-program); there is no indoor storage, so the equipment is subject to the elements and increased wear and tear; and the parking lot is small. The ambulance facility is the next priority. The building does not accommodate sleep space for the two-person full-time staff, and the quick-response vehicle is housed outdoors.
For a new Highway Department facility, the requirements are a centralized location—for better logistics and efficiency—and at least five acres of property. While the ideal property has not yet been located or acquired, the committee sought and received voter approval at the May 9 Annual Town Meeting to proceed with a feasibility study at a potential cost of up to $75,000.
The study specifications call for a review of up to three potential properties proposed by the MBAC with a recommendation for the best option, creation of a floor plan, specifications sufficient to determine a rough price estimate, and enough detail overall to put the work out to bid to qualified firms for detailed architectural plans.
Requests for bid for the feasibility study were submitted to five firms with experience in municipal and public works facilities. Two responded, submitted proposals, and were interviewed by the committee, resulting in the selection of Helene Karl Architects of Groton, Massachusetts. Work on the study has yet to begin.
Ambulance improvements are also being addressed today. Wilkinson says the Select Board has asked the committee to assess two options: an addition to the existing ambulance building and an addition to the Fire Department building, both of which must adequately house all of the equipment and the two-person staff. But with no budget at this time to engage professionals to help consider best options, the committee is doing its own research to determine rough costs for both prefabricated and new-build approaches for either site.
Wilkinson estimates that the new Highway Department project could cost $10 million—possibly more—and take two to three years before it’s shovel ready. He estimates the ambulance facility project will run about $1 million to $1.5 million but will likely be completed sooner because of its smaller scope.
Given that it’s still very early in the overall new-build process, how was Wilkinson able to provide an estimate? Despite all their collective experience, the group lacked municipal building experience. Wilkinson says they’ve been educated in “the many and strict state requirements as well as the high cost and extensive time such projects take.” There will be more opportunity for residents to learn and share as the project moves forward—and voter approval will be required of the projects’ costs once they are fully determined.
To find out more and stay up to date on progress—MBAC meetings are held monthly—check the town website, where agendas and minutes are also posted.
More information: townofbecket.org/municipal-buildings-advisory-committee
