HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-09-27 ad Hoc Police Station Building Committee MinutesPOLICE STATION BUILDING COMMITTEE
MINUTES FOR MEETING ON 09-27-95
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE; (SEE ATTACHED ATTENDANCE SHEET)
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MEETING: On September 27, 1995, members of the Police Station Building Committee met in the
Lecture Hall at the Reading Memorial High School with the Board of Selectmen. The meeting
commenced at 7:30pm. The meeting was called to order by Board Chairperson Sally Hoyt.
The Town Manager addressed the meeting first and provided a synopsis of the project
including the history, current status and warrant article potential for the fall Town Meeting.
Following the Town Managers introduction, Chief Marchand addressed the meeting
and spoke of issues regarding the day to day operation of the Police Dept. and how that operation may
conceni potential neighbors. The Chief also addressed current deficiencies with the existing facility,
After the chief completed his words, Architect Max Ferro presented a slide show to the
meeting. The slide presentation showed the current facility, potential new sites and also explained certain
constraints which would need to be addressed regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act. Mr. Ferro
spoke about site locations. The site locations explored include the current site w/ the adjacent land,
Walkers Brook Dr. (former forestry site), RMLD site on Haven St., Cerretanis Market on Bolton St., and
the vacant land on Oakland Rd. across the street from the High School.
Following Mr. Ferros' presentation, Lt. Robert Silva, Chairman of the Building
Committee, spoke with the Board of Selectmen. Lt. Silva informed the Board that the committee after
reviewing the possible sites and taking into account criteria set forth by the committee and the architect,
that the committee recommended the Oakland Rd. Site. The Board then had discussions regarding a
variety of issues including the possibility of a joint facility w/ a neighboring town. They also discussed
funding, the cost is estimated at 3.5 million for a new facility, 3.2 - 3.3 million at the existing site plus the
acquisition of the adjacent property.
Selectperson Camile Anthony raised the question of, where do we go from here? The
Board had discussion regarding warrant articles, state funding which could become available, and the
need to be prepared if that money does come available, also possible options without state funding.
Board Chair Sally Hoyt opened the meeting to public questions and comments after the
Board completed their discussions. From the audience, there was a question as to why the Walkers Brook
Drive site could not be used. The Board answered that issue with information regarding potential sale of
the Dump and the impact the DEP would have once the site it touched. There was also a comment from