Thursday, December 18, 2025

Town-owned Route 87 lots as building site

Voted to add a select board member as an ex officio member; voted to enter nonpublic session; voted to approve the nonpublic minutes. Votes were by voice with none opposed.

A committee member reported on three town-owned lots off Route 87. The town got them in 1990 for unpaid taxes. The deeds do not show a conservation restriction, but state mapping and older studies list the land as conserved. Most of the land is prime wetland. About 125 feet of dry land runs back from the road, and the usable area is roughly three-quarters of an acre to an acre and a half. The target is two acres. A regional planning commission (RPC) staffer told the committee he does not think the land is conserved. He said the state map viewer sometimes pulls in wrong data. He also said that if the land were conserved, the town could end that status for a public safety building. Members said the high groundwater would mean raising the site with fill, which could be costly. They said a town attorney should check whether the lots count as one parcel. One member suggested combining the lots into a single house lot to sell if the site is not used. Members agreed to keep the site as an option. A member said he would ask two engineering firms for a soil scientist to do test pits and check what fill is possible. The committee also voted to add a select board member as a non-voting ex officio member to report back to the select board. It went into a closed nonpublic session to talk about privately owned land.

Warrant article for preliminary engineering and planning, $50,000

Voted to approve the warrant article as amended with the word "preliminary" and cents added. Voice vote, none opposed.

The committee reviewed a draft warrant article asking voters for $50,000 for design, engineering, planning and other services for a public safety building in 2026. Members agreed to add the word "preliminary" so voters do not expect the money to cover all design work. They said the wording should stay broad enough to cover surveying, wetland delineation, test pits and similar work. The committee said the money would come from undesignated funds, so it would not affect the tax rate. Members said the cost of studying the town lots is likely well under $50,000. They also discussed design-build contracts, in which a builder and architect design the project and set a price, with no separate design fee up front. Members said federal grants need a site and a design, and they hope to finish that work in 2026 and bring a construction article in 2027. The select board's final reading is on January 7. Members also said the article should include cents under the dollar amount and asked the trustees about trust funds that might help. A member suggested moving the article up to about fourth or fifth on the ballot. A member also raised softening the word "critical" in the article.

Add police, fire, and EOC to warrant article

Voted to approve the warrant article as re-amended to include the combined police, fire and emergency operations center. Voice vote, none opposed.

A member of the public said voters may not know what "public safety building" means. The committee agreed to add wording naming the combined police, fire and emergency operations center (EOC) in the article. Members said the article needs clear explanations for voters, and one member said a public information effort is needed before the vote. They also noted that the moderator can read the article but cannot speak for or against it.

Building size and design estimates

The committee compared building sizes. The fire side needs about 7,400 square feet, and the police side is roughly estimated at 5,000. The shared space is about 3,250 square feet, including a 900 square foot meeting and training room that holds about 40 people. Members estimated about 15,000 square feet in total. They said hallways, stairwells and utility rooms add to that figure. They said a needs assessment in the design phase will look at all requirements. A fire official said the design could leave room for future needs such as a paramedic fly car or an ambulance. Members said a heating and cooling station for residents could also be part of the building. Members compared this to Jackson's 10,000 square foot fire station, which a member said is costing $5.3 million without land, and said that building is on the high end of costs.

Visit to Enfield public safety building

A member serving on a state police accreditation team will visit Enfield, NH on December 30. Enfield recently opened a new building of about the size the committee is considering. He plans to look at the building and ask staff what went right and wrong. Members said the design would not suit Newfields, but the square footage is similar. Members also named Bristol as a comparable recent project, and one member said he has plans from other towns, including Stratham and Hampton. The committee will hear a report at its next meeting. The committee agreed to meet next on January 15 at 5:30.