Pelham selectmen will tap into $103,000 of money collected by impact fees to pay for architectural plans for a new central fire station.

Their decision, made during a Nov. 8 meeting, provoked applause from the audience. Many people in attendance were firefighters.

Acquiring architectural plans will allow selectmen to ask voters in March to fund a new central station at a maximum price.

Selectman Ed Gleason said that for too long, infrastructure needs were met with a “deaf ear” in town. He said the station is plagued with mold and other problems.

“We need to make progress,” added Selectman Tom Domenico. “This is an important step.”

Firefighters have complained that lack of space at the station forces them to park equipment outside, exposing it to the weather.

The station’s leaky roof is being blamed for mold. The roof is being fixed and contamination will be removed.

For several years, the town has been collecting impact fees on new developments for fire station space.

A committee recently recommended to selectmen that the town build a new central station on town-owned land on the south side of the town’s village green instead of repairing and expanding the current station, said board Chairman Victor Danevich.