LAKEVILLE — Lakeville voters head to the polls Tuesday, Jan. 28 to make a final decision about whether the town constructs a new fire station.

They will be asked whether to approve a debt exclusion vote to fund a new fire station, with an estimated cost of $21.5 million. A debt exclusion, as opposed to a Proposition 2 ½ override, allows a town to temporarily increase the levy limit without changing the levy limit for future years. 

Funding a new station was approved by a wide margin at the Nov. 12 Special Town Meeting. A second affirmative vote on the Jan. 28 debt exclusion question is required for the project to move forward. 

Fire Chief Michael O’Brien has been a passionate supporter of a new station, saying the current building is one of the worst in the state.

The present configuration features tight conditions that lead to slower response times than the national standard, he said. The national standard between receiving a call and leaving the station is two minutes or less, O’Brien noted, while Lakeville averages over three minutes.

“A minute means everything in a call,’’ he said. “As time goes on, the station continues to undermine our mission to save lives and property.’’

The current conditions also expose firefighters to smoke and other carcinogens in the work area, which also serves as a living space, the chief stated. “This affects the long-term health of our firefighters,’’ O’Brien said.

Should the debt exclusion be rejected, “the fire station can’t continue to function this way,’’ O’Brien said, so “the next day, the process restarts and will cost millions more’’ as expenses increase. 

The current building was constructed in 1894 and has served as the fire station since 1953.

A new location for the station is being considered adjacent to the current police station at 323 Bedford St. on the opposite side of the entrance to the Ted Williams camp.

That site places the station very close to Precinct and Bedford streets, which is a major intersection in town. Seventy-two percent of the department’s calls come from an area north of that intersection, O’Brien noted. 

For a homeowner with a house valued at $450,000, the estimated 30-year tax impact will total $5,400, with tax bills increasing from a low of $72 per year to a high of $284. 

Finance Committee members supported the expenditure at the Special Town Meeting. 

Voting will take place from noon to 8 p.m. at the Ted Williams Camp at 28 Precinct St.