HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-04-18 ad Hoc Police Station Building Committee MinutesPolice Station Building Committee
Minutes
April 18, 1995
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Jen1hers Pmsent: Lt. Bob Silva, Paul Peoples, Jim Cormier, Wilbar Hoxie, Stephen
Blewitt, Mike DeBrigard, William Bogaert, Karol McLaughlin, and Lauretta Rafli
Metnhers Not Able to Attend• Bruce McDonald
The meeting began with a tour of the Reading; Police Station. Lt. Bob Silva and
Officers Paul Peoples and James Cormier led the committee members through the building
and pointed out the problem areas. The Officers stated that the main problem is the lack
of space. Detective desks are in such close proximity with each other that there is little
privacy when conducting interviews. There are several uniformed sergeants that share one
desk. There is only one shower which is in very poor condition and locker room areas are
shared by both males and females. The roll call room is used not only for roll call but also
as a lunch room, meeting room, training room, and a room to arrange bail for prisoners.
The current building lacks adequate storage areas which results in a juvenile cell being
used for storage, tactical gear being stored under a stairwell and cleaning equipment
stored in the hallways. Lt. Silva stated that many of the storage problems were created
when the police annex on Haverhill Street was torn down to make way for the Burbank
Arena. Lt. Silva also stated that the current building is 9,000 square feet but a Police
Department the size of Reading's needs at least 15,500 square feet. Lt. Silva also pointed
out that there are health and safety problems existing with the current building such as
carbon monoxide fumes from cars in the garage filter up into the rooms above, ventilation
throughout the building is virtually nonexistent and the buildings only bathroom is located
in a secured area which creates security risks. Lt. Silva stated that in his opinion the
Reading Police Department cannot stay in this building. Most. of the members who toured
the building agree that the building is outdated, overcrowded and run down.
Next Meet'na; The committee's next meeting will be held on Monday, May 8, 1995.
The next meeting will consist of a tour of the Burlington and Billerica Police h:acilites.