Steve Dalessio called the meeting to order at approximately 6:30 pm.  Present were Rod Bouchard, Andrew Dey, Jay Punt, Trevor MacLachlan, Chief Justin Sanctuary, Cheri Watson on Zoom, Peggy Pschirrer, Michael Petrovick, and Hunter Davis of Michael Petrovick Architects.  Dave Adams was absent.

Cheri Watson asked that the January 22, 2024, minutes be corrected to correct her last name: Watson rather than Watkins.  The correction was noted, and the minutes were approved.

Michael Petrovick led the Committee in a discussion about the police station.

His first question was “what did we see or what did we like in our visits to other police stations?

We visited Brattleboro, VT, Hinsdale and Chesterfield, NH and the County Jail.

Steve Dalessio likes linear stations.  Peggy Pschirrer commented on the positive Booking Room, holding cells and separate juvenile cells in the County Jail.  Others commented on the separate entrances for citizens and detainees.

Brattleboro had sound issues in the building.  Andrew Dey commented he liked the exterior of the Chesterfield building which was part of the Chesterfield Town Hall it has a New England appearance.

Peggy Pschirrer commented that the staff work room had individual spaces, but they were crammed into a room which was too small.  

Steve Dalessio said we would have a site plan review that would include lighting, landscaping, parking etc.

Mr. Petrovick suggested we look at the Fire Station design, which is environmentally sensitive, ADA complaint and Code compliant.

It was suggested that our roof be designed for solar panels in the future.

Mr. Petrovick’s second question dealt with operations and specifically directed to Chief Sanctuary.

Chief Sanctuary responded that there are two officers working every day with overlapping shifts. The Administrative Assistant works four ten-hour days; a part time officer works with evidence.   

Each officer needs an individual workspace with his/her own computer. Moral is higher with individual spaces. The Station also needs private space for State Police Officers and or detectives who work with Walpole on larger cases.

Currently the Walpole Police Department has five officers and a Chief at full staff.

In 2020 the Town’s population according to the census was 3,633 residents. Recently some articles have referenced 3700. 

There may be a demand for more officers in the future; it is suggested that there be an officer for every five hundred (500) residents. The future will bring more demand for services. 

A question was asked “how does the building get expanded?”

Mr. Petrovick asked when the Chief might need more administrative staff. Chief Sanctuary responded that when the Administrative Assistant retires in about two years, he will need at least one and a half (1-1/2) people to cover records and evidence. He will need space for two administrators.

The building will probably cost from $500-$600 per square foot. It will be a Category 4 building; it must be substantial.

Individual offices are needed for the Chief, a Lieutenant, a Sergeant and possibly a Detective.

Further, an evidence room must have two openings and a drug room needs proper ventilation. Separate spaces are needed not only for drugs but firearms as well.

There must be heavy duty doors, walls, and a high level of security.

Chief Sanctuary said we need a secure room for guns and tasers.

The Sally Port should lead into a processing room, handicapped accessible. The Booking Room must be large enough for Bail Commissioners, as well as finger printing equipment. There must be separate space for the accused from the victimized.   Centralized intake is desirable. There must be a separate Juvenile space, an interview room, and separate cells.

EMS must have access to the building. We also need a restraint chair with straps.

Officers need locker rooms, showers, and heavy-duty laundry facilities. In addition, we need a place to disrobe, decontaminate and have clean uniforms.

Storage space for cruiser tires, transport seats, file storage. We are slowly moving to digital storage.

Sally Port must be heated and secure. Further it must have proper exhaust and space to work on cars.  A cover for police cars is important to protect them during heavy weather- ideally fenced in with lights and cameras.

The station needs a break room with a minimum of a microwave, a stove, and a refrigerator. There should be a hood for fire suppression. The break room should not be too small.  

An exercise room is also needed.

There should be a conference room for training, maybe off the lobby. 

Of course, the station must have generators.

It was suggested we could look at some more stations: Antrim, Hillsboro Moultonborough, Amherst.

The next meeting will be February 20, 2024, at 6:30 in the Selectboard Office.