Barnstable, Mass. — October 7 — Construction on the long-planned new fire station, which has been years in the making and has strong community support, has begun, marking a significant milestone for the Barnstable Fire Department. Dig It Construction and Cape Cod Firewood crews are hard at work preparing the facility's grounds. In order to create the contemporary station that will eventually house the department's headquarters, the current buildings on the property are expected to be demolished in November. Voters in the Barnstable Fire District approved the $35.2 million project, marking a historic public safety investment.