The Walpolean

POLICE STATION BUILDING COMMITTEE

Minutes, April 1, 2025

Steve Dalessio called the meeting of the Police Building Committee to order at 6:30 pm.  Present were Jay Punt, Trevor MacLachlan, Chief Justin Sanctuary, Peggy Pschirrer and present by zoom were Cheri Watson, Dave Adams and Architect Michael Petrovick. Andrew Dey was absent.

Jay Punt moved the minutes of March 3, 2025, be approved; the motion was seconded by Cheri Watson and unanimously approved by the committee.

The purpose of the meeting was to examine and discuss the revised drawing of the proposed police station. Mr. Dalessio had suggested changes to the proposed plans for the new police station. Mr. Petrovick made the suggested changes to the draft which were distributed to the committee.

Mr. Dalessio explained why the Warrant Article which asked voters to approve a plan for the new station was dropped from the Town meeting agenda. Public meetings had confirmed the voters support for a new station but asked for a smaller, more affordable station.

Mr. Petrovick was asked to bring out the front of the sally port to make it even with the front of the building on this latest version of the station. Mr. Petrovick responded that getting things proportionate may raise the costs of the building and would change the roof line.

Mr. MacLachlan asked if we could get rid of the stairs and have only a pull down.  The answer was yes, the stairs could be removed easily but we will need access to the mechanicals which will be above.

Mr. MacLachlan will do a cost analysis after the changes suggested at this meeting.

Mr. Petrovick stated the changes have removed about 2,000 square feet from the earlier plan. We are now about 5,700 square feet, which drops the cost to about 4.5 million dollars.

Mr. Dalessio suggested that the northwest corner be squared off so that the electrical systems could be out of the secured area. This will allow a bigger evidence room, which will be useful. The Training room has been reduced in size. It was agreed to leave the window placements as designed.

 Mr. Petrovick will make the recommended changes and return them as soon as possible for the committee to review.

Mr. MacLachlan commented that we will need a fenced area, a covered compound area and probably a chain link fence around the impound area. It will be important that there is an ability to maneuver a tow truck.

The impound area will need to meet DES requirements for drains. The sally port will need an oil separator.

There will be landscaping around the building. Ms. Watson recommended that we use some boulders in front of the building which can double as protection and landscaping.  Perhaps we can work with the Hooper Institute on appropriate gardens.

The non-impound yard needs to be four cars wide and four cars deep with an alley and double gates.

Chief Sanctuary said the building will have room for an office for the State police or another employee.

Mr. Dalessio reported we have a contract with Nancy Merril as grant writer and she has filed our first grant for congressional funding.

The group also agreed they need to have a conversation with both Ted Benson of Bensonwood and with Mr. Franks who has offered some ideas for building.

The next meeting will be Monday, April 21, 2025, in the Selectboard office at 6:30 pm.