Public safety building site evaluation

Aug 19 · MinutesFirst mention

The committee talked about the proposed town-owned site. SMP Architecture, the firm that presented, said its first walkthrough showed major site problems: wetlands, drainage concerns, and land that sits low compared with the road. It said survey and wetland mapping work was already underway. It also said more information from the town's engineering consultants was needed before deciding if the site is suitable. Committee members said other locations were looked at earlier, but none were available to the town. The current site is still being studied because of its location, road access, and availability.

Aug 19 · Video

A resident asked whether the survey results will decide if the town-owned site can be used. The chair said the site has about 14 acres, part of it upland and part wetland. The committee hired Beals Associates (civil engineers), a survey firm, and Gove Environmental to check if the building fits. The chair said results should come back soon. The chair said the site was not the committee's first choice, because owners of other properties said no. The chair said it has town water and sewer and sits on a corner of a state road. The chair said the town attorney found the land is not under conservation. The chair also said part of the land could be conserved later. A second resident said the site is in a neighborhood, on wetland, near wildlife and where people walk and ride bikes. That resident said it is not the right place.

Sep 2 · Minutes

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.

Sep 2 · Minutes

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.

Sep 2 · Video

Residents asked whether other land was considered. They raised concerns about blind curves on Meadow Road and Route 87, traffic, walkers and children, wetlands, and water running onto nearby homes. Committee members said they looked town-wide. Route 108 was ruled out because of traffic of over 20,000 cars a day, trouble for volunteer firefighters reaching the station, and its value as the town's only commercial district. Some landowners would not sell. The town owns the site. It is about 14 acres in four connected parcels. It has town water and sewer and a good sight line on Route 87. Members said emergency vehicles would use Route 87, and a Meadow Road driveway is only an idea that may not happen. They said the state Department of Transportation and wetlands permits would be required, with no exemption for the town. No sidewalk plans exist yet. The committee said voters will decide on any final proposal.

Sep 2 · Video

A resident suggested a Squamscott property that is for sale as another site. A committee member said it is listed at $1.5 million, about the cost of the building itself. The member said owning land the town already has saves taxpayers that money. The resident said that road is busier and has less housing. The committee said it is open to ideas but did not commit to looking at it.

Sep 30 · Minutes

Residents raised concerns about wetland loss, effects on neighbors, parking, lighting, building size and how little they had seen of earlier site comparisons. On neighbors, Mr. LaCombe described past projects where siting, screening and lighting controls reduced effects. A resident asked about moving parking behind the building. Mr. LaCombe said it can be studied but must be balanced against security and keeping public, police and fire traffic apart. A resident asked whether filling wetlands could send water toward Meadow. The engineer said the site's drainage features should keep water moving through the property and that the design must show no damaging off-site stormwater impacts. The committee said mapped wetlands are based on soil and water classifications, not only standing water. Residents asked about other properties and separate police and fire buildings. The committee said it has reviewed many sites since last year. It said private parcels cannot be named publicly, and the town-owned property was the only workable choice after others were ruled out for logistics, traffic, ownership or future land use. Residents asked for a clear comparison of sites, including land and wetland costs. Members said earlier minutes are on the town website, that private landowner talks limit what can be shared, and that more outreach, tours and information are expected.

Sep 30 · Video

Residents asked about wetland fill and wildlife, whether the community room, gym and parking are needed, whether the existing fire station could be fixed instead, and whether other sites were compared. Neighbors raised concerns about headlights, lighting and driveways near their homes, and one resident asked if fill would send water toward nearby homes. The police chief said the training room is also the emergency operations center and a shelter, and could host regional trainings that cost money elsewhere. The engineer and the chair said the site has drainage trenches from past farm use, and town storm water rules mean the project must not send water off the site. Committee members said the fire station cannot easily meet current code because of gear storage in the apparatus bay, a narrow stair with no elevator, and a ventilation fix estimated at $180,000, and that the town owns this site while other sites were closed to talks in nonpublic sessions. A resident asked for a written comparison of the sites considered. Members said past minutes on the town website cover this and that site plans, lighting and storm water design come later if voters approve a concept and cost.