DALTON, Mass. — Over the course of several meetings, officials have said both the police and fire departments have outgrown their current spaces, prompting discussions about whether a combined public safety complex could offer a feasible long-term solution.

 

The Fire District recently presented a community and space needs analysis that demonstrated how the Fire Department has "outgrown" the station — facing both space limitations and state regulation requirements, particularly the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

 

The police station has also faced longstanding issues, leading to discussions about the need for a new facility after Police Chief Deanna Strout emphasized the department's "dire condition" in 2024, which led to the establishment of a Public Safety Facility ad-hoc committee. 

 

The committee spent more than a year developing a report for the Select Board, while working with architect Brian Humes of Jacunski Humes Architects LLC. 

 

The report delineated four options — build on town-owned land, build on private land, renovate or repurpose the existing buildings, and do nothing. 

 

The full report can be found here. 

 

However, the project stalled after the only suitable town-owned property identified was adjacent to the Senior Center, a location that drew criticism from some neighbors.