Public safety building size and design

Dec 18 · VideoFirst mention

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.

Feb 12 · Minutes

Two representatives of Martini Northern, a Newfields firm, explained three ways to run a building project. Design-Bid-Build: architects draw plans, contractors bid, and the lowest bidder is usually picked. It is common for towns and has no contingency fund (money set aside for surprises). Construction Management: an architect is hired early, then a management firm helps with budgets and oversight. It uses a guaranteed maximum price contract. Design-Build: one contract covers design and construction, giving early cost certainty and faster delivery, though the owner may have less control. The presenters said Design-Build and Construction Management involve more teamwork and have contingency funds. They said Design-Bid-Build is slower and puts more risk on the owner for change orders (paid changes to the work). They said the first two usually pick firms through a public request for proposals, sometimes with interviews. They said Design-Bid-Build uses competitive bidding. The committee was told it needs conceptual plans and preliminary budgets before town votes.

Feb 12 · Video

On February 12, 2026, two staff from Martini Northern, a general contractor in town, explained three ways to hire for a building project. In design-bid-build, the architect finishes the drawings and contractors bid on them. The lowest bid usually wins, there is no contingency (extra money set aside for missed items), and the owner pays for anything not shown. In construction management, an architect is hired first and a construction manager is hired separately to help with the budget. The result is a guaranteed maximum price and open books. In design-build, one team under one contract designs and builds, often with a lump sum price. The speakers said design-build and construction management usually use a contingency of about 10% at first, dropping to about 5%. They said savings are often split 75/25. They said design-build gets from the March vote to construction fastest. They said some money is needed before the March vote to make basic plans, and gave $10,000 to $15,000 for civil engineering as a usual amount. A committee member said some grants, such as State Revolving Fund money, need competitive bidding. A member also asked whether the town would need an owner's representative, meaning a paid expert who watches the project for the owner. Members raised concerns about being tied to one builder and about low-bid problems at other towns' buildings. A member said the building is complex because it has fire and police needs. The committee only made recommendations for the select board, which decides what goes on a warrant.

Feb 12 · Video

Members compared other towns' buildings. Bristol built a 20,000 square foot public safety building for under $4 million about two years ago. A member said Infield built a building of about 15,000 to 26,000 square feet; members did not agree on the size. Candia started about six years ago, bought land, and planned a 6,400 square foot police-only building estimated at $1.2 million. Candia's project stalled after chiefs left. The town adds $100,000 a year to an account, now about $400,000. Plasto, Candia's builder, built a combined 30,000 square foot building for $6.5 million in 2018 and a 6,500 square foot Brookline police station for $1.2 million in 2013. Plymouth's project stalled in 2024 after a $4,800 environmental assessment. Members said many towns started with a needs study, site ranking and site checks. Members named UNH and Norwich University as possible helpers with early designs. They also talked about the Gordian website, a March 26-27 seminar in Orlando, and possibly buying or borrowing another town's plans. A member said the committee started a list comparing each building and will send it out.

Feb 17 · Minutes

The chair reported on the Public Safety Building Committee, which met February 12. A firm, Martini Northern, presented three ways to build: design-bid-build, construction management, and design-build. The chair said design-build was favored for cost certainty and faster delivery. A lieutenant is compiling a list of towns that built public safety buildings to compare what worked. Progress depends on the election and a $50,000 warrant article. If approved, it would pay for a formal needs assessment with outside expertise. All grant applications this year are due March 6, 2026. The committee decided it could not meet that deadline, which eases the time pressure. If the article passes, a project could be presented to voters in next year's election. The Select Board unanimously supports the $50,000 article. The committee went into nonpublic session to discuss land options.

Feb 26 · Video

A committee member said New Hampshire Municipal Association told them no state law requires the town to go out to bid, but the town must follow its own purchasing policy. The policy, enacted in 2017, exempts professional services such as engineers, auditors and legal services. The member said the first $50,000, if approved, for site exploration would likely be covered without a bid. The member said the building itself would likely need to go out to bid, and that the details were unclear. Members agreed to ask town counsel for clarity. A guest from a construction firm said design-build can skip a separate bid step and can use a not-to-exceed price. Committee members discussed whether to hire an architect and engineer separately, which could cost more up front, or to use design-build. Members said they would contact towns that used design-build and ask about their purchasing policies.

Feb 26 · Video

A guest from a construction firm said a construction management contract can be fixed-price, can return unspent contingency money to the town, and can be negotiated. The guest said the firm works with outside architects, including Warren Street and Dennis Mullen architects, and that the firm would handle construction management. Members said towns such as Litchfield picked architects through a request for qualifications. Members discussed inviting an architect to a meeting. The guest said they would talk with their estimator and send names of possible architects within a few days. Another member said an engineer was interested in speaking to the committee. Members said they would not hire an architect until they know if the land can be built on.

Feb 26 · Minutes

The committee talked about two ways to run the new public safety building project. In design build, one team does both design and construction. In construction management, the town picks a construction manager and the contract sets a maximum price. A member said the NH Municipal Association told him no state law requires a bid process, but the town's purchasing policy must be followed. That policy exempts professional services such as engineering from standard bidding, so the first $50,000 for site exploration and related services can be spent without a formal bid. The full project would likely need a bid process. For engineering, a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is used, where firms show their experience instead of submitting competing bids, and usually one firm is chosen. Construction management allows value engineering (looking for ways to lower cost) and terms such as returning unspent contingency funds. A member agreed to contact other towns that used either method and the group began a list of projects and contacts.

Feb 26 · Minutes

A member presented recent municipal projects in Bristol, Enfield, North Hampton and Newbury, with costs from $247 to $493 per square foot. The committee discussed how useful these figures are for its own planning. A member suggested using Engineering News-Record (ENR) for current construction cost data and offered to get a subscription for the committee. Another member suggested reviewing other towns' plans for layouts that could be reused to save on design costs. A member noted that Enfield's plans are close in size to what the town needs and could be a starting point. The committee also discussed inviting architects and construction firms to meetings. One member offered to contact an estimator and suggest firms. Another member named firms with municipal project experience as references: Eckman Construction, Warren Street Architects and Dennis Meyers Architects. The committee agreed to meet March 12 and March 26 at 5:30pm. The first meeting will review progress. The second may include presentations from architects or construction firms, depending on the town vote.

Mar 12 · Minutes

A member shared a list of recent public safety building projects in other communities. Costs ranged from $195 to over $700 per square foot, depending on design and materials. Another member is contacting architects to speak at a future meeting. He will check whether an architect can come to the meeting on the 26th. He also said other towns are buying land first, and spending a large part of their budgets on it.

Mar 26 · Video

Members said the two chiefs could meet with architects to work out how much space they need, since 15,000 square feet is only an estimate. A member said Plymouth hired the Turner Group for a needs assessment, first estimated at $20,000 to $25,000, then corrected to just under $5,000 for three years ago. A member said a two-story building can cost about the same as one story, but it needs an elevator. Members said parking and truck room also use land, and that the size needed could decide whether a site works. An architect could not attend this meeting, and her associate is expected to be free for the April meeting. The next committee meetings are on April 16 and April 30. The members also discussed a possible site visit if the schedule allows. A member also said he would meet a chief who is at a conference, and would bring back ideas.

Mar 26 · Minutes

Members discussed starting a needs assessment, which is a study of how much space the building needs, and talking with an architect. A member said Plymouth hired the Turner Group for a needs assessment and drawings, which previously cost $20,000 to $25,000. He suggested the committee begin a similar process. Another member said the architect could not attend this meeting but may attend in April. Members discussed building size, a two-story design for ADA (disability access) compliance, and fitting parking and community space within the 2.5-acre target. They compared projects in Plymouth, Candia and Stratham. Stratham's fire department and library share a 2.5-acre site. A member said Candia has bought land and is working out its design needs. He also said he would gather materials from a seminar attended by Candia's police chief and report back.

May 21 · Video

The committee looked over documents sent by Beals Associates, the firm that has advised on the site. Members noted that maps of well areas and PFAS (a group of chemicals sometimes found in water) show that none of the town's land is inside either radius. A member said some wells on Hemlock have high PFAS and were tested because they are near farmland. Members also reviewed sample RFPs (requests for proposals) and RFQs (requests for qualifications) from other towns. The architect-hiring ones were set aside, since the committee is not at that step yet.

May 21 · Video

Members worked on a room list for the public safety building. They settled on about 15,000 square feet, and the draft will say all figures are preliminary. They compared North Hampton's building (about 16,500 square feet, two stories), Enfield's and Kingston's. Members said some rooms looked too large and that the needs assessment will fix sizes. Members suggested sharing showers with the police department while keeping a separate locker room, and a smaller women's facility. Members also suggested keeping a list of must-have items and extras for later cost cutting, called value engineering. They discussed building style and agreed that a barn-style look suits the town. They said a modern design from one firm did not seem to fit Newfields.

May 21 · Minutes

Committee members reviewed documents from Beals Associates, a firm that sent them through its contact. They talked about site factors such as environmental concerns and water maps. They also looked at sample requests for proposals (RFPs) and requests for qualifications (RFQs) for architect services, to use as guides for later steps. They looked at concept plans from Stratham and Windham as possible models for Newfields.

May 21 · Minutes

Members compared the planned building with ones in Enfield, North Hampton and other towns. They concluded that 15,000 square feet is a reasonable target. A committee member said a needs assessment, a study of the spaces and features required, should take four to five months and should involve both chiefs. Concept designs would then be made, with three options shown to the public, focused on outside style and key inside spaces. The member also discussed value engineering, which means sorting must-have features from optional ones to save money. Material examples included Hardie board siding and tile.

Jun 3 · Minutes

Members talked at length about what the first phase of work should cover. The committee wants a team with both an architect and a builder to produce conceptual designs (early drawings), a needs assessment (a list of what the building must hold and do) and cost estimates. Members looked at requests for proposals (RFPs) from North Hampton and Nottingham, which had conceptual site plans, budgets and phased steps that could be used as templates. The group said accurate cost estimates are needed to show voters. Members noted the risks of not having complete plans and the need to watch spending to avoid overruns. They also discussed negotiating with architecture firms for the conceptual work as professional services, and judging a team's credentials and past work rather than choosing an architect alone.

Jun 3 · Video

Members discussed what the next request should ask for: a needs assessment for the police and fire departments, conceptual designs, and a cost estimate to take to voters. A member said a team with both a designer and a builder is needed to price the work before full plans exist. Another member asked how other towns do this. Members said a firm may take on risk if voters reject the project. Members said full plans could cost six figures. They discussed one-team and separate-team approaches. A member said they should ask firms for three past examples of estimates compared with final costs. Members agreed the request should state that the project goes out to bid after the vote. A member said a model project was a planning study with three options, plans and a budget. The committee did not choose a final approach.

Jun 17 · Minutes

The committee reviewed a draft request for qualifications (RFQ) for the next phase of the project. An RFQ asks firms to show their skills and experience. Members discussed wording, such as 'Fire Rescue' versus 'Fire Department,' and how the 'public safety building' is described. They also checked that the project goals and deliverables are described correctly. They found deadlines that did not match and agreed to update the dates for written questions and proposal submissions. They also discussed how to show current facility problems and code compliance issues in the RFQ, including where to put information on staffing and accessibility. The document says members agreed on edits before the RFQ is finalized.

Jun 17 · Agenda

The committee is set to look at a draft request for proposals (RFP), which is a public notice asking firms to bid on work. The draft covers a study of space needs, a conceptual design (an early rough plan), and cost estimates.

Jun 30 · Minutes

A member asked about the status of ALS (advanced life support, a higher level of emergency medical care). The Select Board representative said hosting ALS in the new building would need space for an ALS vehicle, a bunk and a galley (kitchen). He said having ALS in town has an operational benefit. Members agreed the fire chief's input is needed for the needs assessment and should be gathered before building plans are final. The Select Board representative offered to bring in a contact for an update when the committee is ready. Members agreed to revisit the topic after the next project phase.

Jul 22 · Minutes

Beals Associates and committee members described how building concept layouts will be developed. Beals Associates asked for fire vehicle sizes and turning radii so the layout allows for access points, walkways and ADA (disability access) rules. Beals Associates offered to make early concepts from the building footprints and site data provided, and to change them based on committee feedback. The committee also discussed which engineering firms would review plans and confirmed current practices for planning and inspection.

Jul 29 · Minutes

The committee discussed why a needs assessment (a study of how big the building must be and what it needs) and a conceptual design (an early rough plan) should come before a town vote. The chair and the Select Board representative said these steps set the size and cost of the building. The police chief and the Select Board representative said federal and state grants need a conceptual design and a piece of land, and that the committee should have both ready by October. Members said firms often estimate cost from square footage and regional cost data, and add a high extra amount for unknowns. A member described phases: hire a firm for the needs assessment and conceptual design, ask voters for approval, then do detailed design and construction if voters approve.

Aug 19 · Minutes

SMP described how it would build a needs assessment by meeting with police and fire leaders and staff. The list of needs discussed was: police and fire office space, storage for fire trucks and other equipment, training space, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) functions, community meeting space, evidence and booking areas, fitness and wellness areas, and spaces the two departments share. Committee members said the two departments work well together and that sharing space was a priority where practical. Participants also discussed a public meeting room that could serve as both an EOC and a community space while keeping the rest of the building secure.

Sep 2 · Minutes

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.

Sep 2 · Agenda

The committee will take up space programming for the public safety building, led by SMP, as an agenda item.

Oct 20 · Video

The architect from SMP Architecture showed a near-final floor plan of about 15,350 square feet, a site concept, and early outside views. The plan has a shared public lobby, a community room that doubles as the emergency operations center, and separate police and fire areas. It also has a shared kitchen and fitness room, a fire apparatus bay (where trucks are parked), and a secured police side with a two-door sally port (a secure vehicle entry). A covered parking structure for six police vehicles is shown, and the generator and transformer sit behind the building to keep them out of view and reduce noise. The design looks like a house, connector and barn, with a gambrel (barn-style) roof. Committee members suggested a cupola and a few windows in the apparatus bay. The fire side will have exhaust capture at the tailpipes plus a carbon monoxide-triggered ventilation system. The architect said the next step is a set of schematic drawings, which takes a couple of weeks. The estimator then needs about a month for a budget, with a preliminary budget expected in early December. Posters and a project website with a QR code are planned for election day on November 3. The architect said many detail decisions come after the vote and are handled within the budget.