It's time to begin brainstorming what will happen to the current Onset Fire Station when a new fire station on Sand Pond Road is built. And Onset residents are sure to have plenty of ideas, said Onset Prudential Committee Chairman Charles Klueber on Thursday.

When the current fire station, located at 5 East Central Ave., is moved to the new location on Sand Pond Road, residents will have to decide what to do with the building. It will be several years before the fire department is located at Sand Pond Road, Klueber said, but he thinks now is a good time to start discussing what to do with the old building.

The new station, originally proposed to cost $13.9 million, had its price tag slashed by voters at the Onset Fire District Annual Meeting in May. Voters approved the station, but capped the cost at $8 million. The annual meeting is where voters approve the district's budget, which funds fire and water costs, in addition to major purchases.

The department outgrew its current quarters and decided last year the new station will be on Sand Pond Road, located across the street from the Onset Water Department.

Klueber said he personally hopes the district will not sell the station, but will repurpose it to keep fire engines there or ambulances that can service Onset Village easily, especially during big summer events.

Public meetings will be scheduled soon to discuss the use of the building, after cost estimates are determined.

"We want to involve citizens in what we do with that building," Klueber said. "We want any idea to be possible."

From housing EMS to being turned into a hotel, all ideas can be on the table.

"Everything in this district belongs to the people in this district," said Clerk Marcine Fernandes.