Work on the new Peterborough Fire Station is progressing, with the foundation laid and all structural steel components in place.
Voters in May 2024 approved the $11.3 million construction budget for the new fire station as presented by Peterborough Fire & Rescue.
After coordinating with the Building Committee on the design, engineering and construction to ensure the project would fall within the budget, the department broke ground in June 2025, with a completion target of September 2026. Harvey Construction out of Bedford is managing the project while Concord-based SMP Architects was responsible for its design. A bank bond is funding the project.
According to Assistant Town Administrator Seth MacLean, early work included site preparation, drainage improvements, and construction of a new access road serving the newly refurbished highway garage.
“In the coming weeks, the full steel frame of the building will be completed, followed by construction of the traditionally stick-built portions of the administrative wing. Work will continue through the winter months,” MacLean said. He added the project is on schedule and on budget.
Peterborough Fire Chief Ed Walker elaborated on the completion timeframe, stating he anticipates the station will be operational in September.
At a Peterborough Fire & Ambulance Building Committee meeting on Sep. 18, 2023, resident Leandra MacDonald raised concerns about traffic and fire trucks entering and exiting Elm Street so close to Route 101.
A rendering of the new Peterborough Fire and Rescue Station. Credit: COURTESY IMAGE SMP ARCHITECTS/TOWN OF PETERBOROUGH 
The proposed new Peterborough Fire and Rescue building, facing Elm Street, as seen from the west. Credit: COURTESY IMAGE TOWN OF PETERBOROUGH/SMP ARCHITECTS 
SMP Architects design of the proposed new Peterborough Fire and Rescue Station on Elm Street. Credit: COURTESY IMAGE TOWN OF PETERBOROUGH/SMP ARCHITECTS
Walker addressed the concern recently, stating that “because the fire department already uses that intersection frequently, so much so that more than 50% of our calls have us utilizing it, we opted not to do the study as we have yet to have any issues on our part.”
He said, “If it’s determined in the future that there are some issues entering and leaving the intersection, we’ll look into getting a flashing stoplight similar to what New Ipswich has near their fire station. However, at the moment, there isn’t an assessed need for the study or a stoplight.”
Regarding changes in cost, Walker said the budget can’t exceed the $11.3 million that residents approved at the 2024 town meeting.
“We have covered all perceived contingencies, and if a particular aspect appears as though it may go over budget, we’ll have to scale the scope of that component back to stay within the budget,” he said.
MacLean commented on what he referred to as a robust planning and engineering process carried out by the Building Committee. “Many years of work and planning went into getting the project up and running. The current trajectory is a testament to that effort.”
Solar panels, which were discussed during budget planning, will not be part of the core project. MacLean said the infrastructure will be put into place, and if there are funds left over once construction is finished, then solar panels will be considered.
He said the fate of the old fire station is uncertain.