Steve Dalessio called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Present in addition to Mr. Dalessio were Rod Bouchard, Jay Punt, Andrew Dey, Trevor MacLachlan, Chief Justin Sanctuary and Michael Petrovick, Architect. Cheri Watson and Dave Adams were on Zoom.
Mr. Petrovick met with Officer Josh Healey and Janet Clough for a tour of the current Police Station on February 29, 2024. After that visit and reviewing a wish list of Chief Sanctuary’s, Mr. Petrovick estimated the square footage of a new building with 7,600-7,800 Square feet and put it into what he described as a flawed diagram. Clearly, the final product may be a different square footage.
The Committee agreed that it might be better to work with a Police officer and the Administrator than with the whole committee. Chief Sanctuary and Mr. Petrovick will meet before the next committee meeting.
The Committee asked if we really need this much space. What will the building look like on the outside? We should use a design that will be cost saving. The cost of furniture fixtures and equipment will be calculated as part of the cost.
The lot of 2.6 acres proposed for the new station is adequate. Mr. Petrovick has spoken with Jim Clifford who represents Ball Park Realty, LLC. There will be enough land for a significant number of parking spaces.
The question of the future of the old station was raised. The Village of North Walpole has expressed an interest in the building. The current Police Station will need remediation before it can be sold.
Mr. Dalessio raised the issue of future yearly costs to maintain the new building. The new building will have town water and sewer, a wood frame and the roof will be built so that it may in the future have a solar installation. Heat and cooling will be by heat pumps. The building will also have a generator.
The Committee will look for grants through the USDA, Northern borders and through our NH representatives in Congress.
The next meeting of the Committee will be March 19, 2024, at 6:30 in the Selectboard Office. Zoom will be an option.
The Walpolean 
Even though the new police station will be located on Walpole’s “ Miracle Mile”, the statement about what the building will look like (“We should use a design that will be cost saving “) brought shivers to my spine. Post WWII Russian building design came to mind. It was efficient, cost saving, and ugly.
Bill Perron
Sent from my iPad
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