The town of Falmouth had some great news last week. The Pleasant Hill Fire Station was sold to an architect who recognizes its charm and history in the Pleasant Hill neighborhood.

It was also good news for financing the “Town Center” plan to renovate the elementary schools into an expanded Falmouth Memorial Library, a community center (there’s no pool, by the way), revenue-generating office space, and a town green.

The fire station sold for $127,000. That is less than the appraised value, but just 15 percent less than the $150,000 budgeted for the fire station sale in the financial plan for the Town Center. The difference is easily covered by a contingency fund that was wisely included in the plan.

The Town Center plan, which was approved by the Town Council and will be voted on by residents as Question 1 on the June 14 ballot, raises revenue for the project from many sources, including the sale of the fire station, the current library and acreage between the schools and OceanView. Most importantly, the revenue will not be generated by new taxes.

If the budget can’t be met by 2015, the project will not move forward. However, the sale of the fire station is a good sign. It will use less than 4 percent of the $600,000 set aside in the project’s budget as a contingency fund.

Vote yes on 1.

Erica & Cameron Linen
Falmouth