The city of Biddeford has begun conducting studies on a parcel of land at 16 Old Pool Road that could be used as a fire substation.

A study on wetlands and vernal pools, which provide habitat for native plants and animals, was conducted in the spring. 

Late last month, Biddeford Fire Chief Lawrence Best presented the results to the City Council. 

“Some of the results we anticipated, some we did not,” Best said. 

Best said that one particular vernal pool was designated as “potentially significant,” which means there are parameters to how close a structure can be built to the pool. 

“Because of the wetlands and the vernal pools, the site shrank a little bit,” Best said. 

The need for a second substation in Biddeford was determined in 2023, and the Eastern Fire/EMS Substation Committee found the area of Pool Street to be the best location for a future substation. 

The station would have two to three bays, and would be located on the University of New England campus, an ideal location to shorten emergency response times. 

“Obviously, if we staff a Biddeford Pool location, we’re going to have a better response time to that area,” Best said. 

Also at last month’s meeting, the council approved adding an additional phase, Phase 1B, to the project. The phase would include completing sketches and studies to see if the fire station would fit on the site, and figuring out what impacts the station would have on vernal pools in the area. 

The phase would cost just over $5,000, which Best said is already allocated. 

Biddeford Councilor William Emhiser said that if the station would fit on the UNE site, he would be in favor of the project. 

“It’s an ideal location,” Emhiser said. “This is a very important thing for the community.” 

Councilor Marc Lessard agreed that the city needs a second fire substation, but said that he wished the city had taken action on the project before 2023. 

“I wish we would’ve tried to do something else instead of putting our eggs in one basket,” Lessard said. “This basket might never happen, because it has to go to bond.” 

Lessard also questioned the validity of faster response times to the Biddeford Pool area if the station were to be located on the UNE campus, noting that sharing a station with Goose Rocks could also decrease response times to the area. 

Best said he believes a substation at UNE would dramatically improve response times, but said that he is also looking into alternative plans. 

“As I’m working through the property we’re at, I’m also trying to figure out Plan B, Plan C, even Plan D,” Best said. 

The substation project is still in the earliest stages, and next steps will be discussed at a future city council meeting.