Muted colors are the theme for the exterior of the Freeland Fire Station, which is now under construction on Cameron Road.

Discussion of the shades and hues for the new station was the topic of animated conversation at Fire District 3 commissioners meeting on Thursday.

Three examples of rock wainscoting, metal roofing and exterior wall colors were presented to the commissioners by FD3 Chief Don Smith.

Bob Elliott, the board’s chairman, enlisted the help of the 14 people at the meeting to make the final selection.

Smith had requested input from the Freeland Sub-Area Planning Committee on the color choices, but “a representative from the committee told us to go ahead and make the decision,” he said.

Smith presented two samples of rock wainscoting and as he displayed the third he said, “I am saving the best for last — Newport Cobblestone — not that I want to influence your decision.”

The choices of metal roofing were gray, green and red. It was unanimous among the three commissioners and audience that red was the way to go for the roof.

“This is a fire station, so it should have some red on it,” Elliott said.

The commissioners approved Colonial Red for the roof, Newport Cobblestone wainscoting and Kingsport Gray paint for the exterior walls.

“Good choices,” Smith said. “They are timeless and won’t look dated in 10 years.”

Construction of the Freeland station is on schedule. The framing is up and roof trusses and walls will follow in the next week. The project is expected to be completed before October 2002.