Public Safety Building Committee ยท Meeting
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Discussed
Early plan for combined public safety building
The committee reviewed a first draft from SNP Architects for one building that would hold police, fire and Emergency Management (the town's disaster planning office). The draft is about 17,000 square feet with halls, machine rooms and IT rooms. Police and fire space alone is just over 14,000 square feet. Shared rooms include the lobby, training room, kitchen, meeting rooms, fitness room and radio room. A police lieutenant explained the draft. The police chief said the building could also serve as a cooling, warming, charging and evacuation site. A shared building is meant to avoid doubling up on common rooms and is seen as cheaper than two buildings. The committee expects to cut the size but keep room for future needs. Police and fire will meet with SNP Architects to make a second version aimed at lower size and cost. A member asked if the building would have one floor or two. The lieutenant said nothing is decided while the site study is pending.
Site study for town-owned parcel
The committee is waiting on Beals Associates, the civil engineering and survey firm, to finish its study of whether the town-owned parcel can hold the building. The firm needs survey and wetlands-flagging information first. The chair reported that early information is expected soon. After that, the committee will know more about dry land, slopes, wetlands, access and how much land can be built on.
Public comment on site and project
Several residents spoke during public comment. Topics included other sites such as Route 108 and the Squamscot Beverages property, wetlands and drainage, traffic and sight lines, a possible driveway to Meadow Rd, sidewalks, and why a new fire station is needed. Residents also asked about expanding the current fire station or the school area, building size and staffing, future use of the old stations, and what happens if the site fails review. Several residents said they support the police and fire departments. The committee said it has looked at many sites since November and options are limited. Route 108 commercial land had problems with emergency access, cost, traffic and loss of taxable land. The town-owned parcel has town water and sewer and is still under review. Emergency vehicles would likely use Route 87, not Meadow Rd. A Meadow Rd driveway is only an option for staff and visitors, and it is not known if it is workable. The town must get state driveway and wetlands permits. Only a small part of the land would be built on, and protection for the rest could be considered. The committee said the current fire station site and nearby land are too limited or not town-owned. All options remain open, but the current view is that a shared building offers the most benefit. A member said this is the fourth time the town has looked at a new police facility and that delay has raised costs. If the site fails, the committee would look at other land, and the needs work would still be useful. A copy of the Primex report was given out.
+ 3 routine items