Committee picks architect for fire stations

Other Committee · Meeting of October 6, 2026

FARMINGTON — The Farmington Fire Station Building Committee voted to select Silver Petrocelli & Associates to design the town's three fire station projects. Chair Brenda Bergeron oversaw a full day of 30-minute interviews with five competing firms: EDM Studio, Friar Architecture, a KVA-led team, Silver Petrocelli & Associates and Tecton Architects. Friar Architecture told the committee the project carries an estimated budget of $30 million to $35 million, with a bond referendum targeted for spring or fall 2027.

Silver Petrocelli principal Christopher Nardi cited the firm's recent Bristol fire station project, completed with under half a percent in change orders, calling it a case where "they made the tough choices with our guidance, and in the end, the project came in on budget." The committee also voted to authorize the town manager to sign a contract and set its next meeting for October 30.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 780 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of October 6, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

The Full Article

FARMINGTON — October 6, 2026 — The Farmington Fire Station Building Committee voted unanimously to select Silver Petrocelli & Associates as the architectural and engineering firm for the planned rebuild and renovation of the town's three fire stations, following a full day of interviews with five competing design teams.

Committee Chair Brenda Bergeron led the daylong session, which included back-to-back 30-minute presentations and 15-minute question periods for each firm. The committee also voted to authorize the town manager to sign a contract with Silver Petrocelli & Associates and set its next meeting, an internal kickoff with the selected architect, for October 30 at 9 a.m.

The Full Story

Five firms presented to the committee over the course of the day: EDM Studio, paired with SLR International Corporation and Downs Construction Company; Friar Architecture; a team led by KVA alongside the Wendell Company and O&G Industries; Silver Petrocelli & Associates; and Tecton Architects. Each team described its approach to designing and phasing construction of the Main Street fire station in Farmington, the East Farms station and the Tunxis Hose station in Unionville, all three of which committee members and presenters described as space-constrained.

Bergeron opened each session by outlining the committee's makeup and the day's format.

"I'm Brenda Bergeron. I'm the chair of the committee. And the rest of the committee are the three volunteer chiefs, a council member, and as with me, a resident of each of the three districts." [00:05:54] — Brenda Bergeron, Chair, Fire Station Building Committee

Representatives of Friar Architecture told the committee the project carries an established budget of roughly $30 million to $35 million, covering code and safety upgrades, HVAC and electrical replacement, roof repairs and additional apparatus bay space at the Main Street station. Several firms, including EDM Studio and Tecton Architects, said the town is aiming for a bond referendum in either spring or fall 2027, and each was asked to describe its capacity to meet that schedule.

Committee members pressed each team on cost control. Chief Cromack asked every firm the same question about managing price volatility.

"In today's economy, we experience price escalation and supply chain issues. Describe your cost estimating process to ensure the project will come in on budget." [00:50:53] — Chief Cromack, Fire Station Building Committee

Silver Petrocelli & Associates, a Farmington-based firm with 36 years in municipal work, presented examples including a recent Bristol fire station project that came in with less than half a percent in change orders, and the town's own 1928 Town Hall renovation, which the firm said it brought back on budget after the town council requested a $16 million ceiling on an initial $16.6 million estimate. Principal Christopher Nardi, who would serve as project manager, told the committee that keeping elected officials and the public engaged in trade-off decisions was central to that outcome.

"They made the tough choices with our guidance, and in the end, the project came in on budget." [02:56:48] — Christopher Nardi, Principal, Silver Petrocelli & Associates

Other firms emphasized different strengths: EDM Studio highlighted its local presence and a construction manager embedded on its team; the KVA-led team pointed to an in-house landscape architecture studio and local ties to Farmington; Tecton Architects described data-driven methods for ranking priorities across multiple fire stations in one town, drawing on a recent Bellingham, Massachusetts project. After the presentations and a brief public comment period that drew no speakers, the committee moved directly into votes without extended debate. Bergeron thanked the firms for a "really great" day of presentations before the committee approved the selection.

Why It Matters

The vote sets in motion the design phase for a project affecting three working fire stations across Farmington, including the historic Main Street station and the aging Tunxis Hose and East Farms facilities, which several firms said face space, safety and code constraints. The committee's own questioning tied the design timeline directly to a bond referendum residents will eventually vote on, expected in spring or fall of 2027, meaning the budget range discussed Tuesday, roughly $30 million to $35 million, will shape what taxpayers are ultimately asked to approve. The committee's next step is an October 30 kickoff meeting with Silver Petrocelli & Associates to begin schematic design work.

Key Motions & Votes

- Vote: Select Silver Petrocelli & Associates as final candidate for architectural design and engineering services Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Authorize the town manager to sign a contract with Silver Petrocelli & Associates Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Set next committee meeting for October 30 at 9 a.m. Tally: Approved unanimously

Source

Farmington Connecticut Meetings: Fire Station Building Committee meeting, October 6, 2026