Fire Scrapped From Lanesborough Public Safety Building Plans
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Fire Department is no longer in the plans for a new public safety building due to cost.
The chair of the Public Safety Building Committee updated the Select Board last week on the panel's progress after discovering that a fire station alone would cost $20 million and tabled from discussion.
"I just wanted everybody to know that we're slowly moving along," Chair Mark Siegars said. "It can seem like it's a slow process and it is because we try to make sure that people don't get overburdened and there's every opportunity for the public to participate."
After a nearly $6 million proposal was shot down at last year's the annual town meeting, a new committee was established to bring forward a plan that resonates with the town.
A survey was distributed and residents voiced support for three public safety building options: just a police station, a combined police and emergency medical services complex, and a complete facility with police, EMS, and the Fire Department.
Architect Brian Humes then worked with the Fire Department on a needs assessment and it was determined that the department would require a building of more than 19,000 square feet, costing around $20 million alone.
"The committee decided that the community didn't have an appetite to fund a $20 million project so voted unanimously to table any further investigation of a fire station," Siegars reported.
"What's nice is that the needs assessment is done and it's not going anyplace."
Several subcommittees were then formed and after site visits to other stations, it was recommended that the committee look into a standalone police build similar to the station in Brookfield.
"Part of the discussion with Brian Humes was that he designed that building and the town can purchase complete plans for that building for about $250,000 less than hiring an architect to design it after the town hires their project manager, whatever it's called," Siegars said.
"So the committee voted to say we will accept that design as a police station."
The plan is roughly the same size as what was proposed for Bill Laston Memorial Field minus some of the elements.
Committee members met with the heads of the police and EMS departments to identify essential elements in the plan and a finance subcommittee has been looking into state and federal funding for the facility. Siegars reported that only about $7,000 has been spent on planning work so far.
Humes may make one or two public presentations to answer questions from community members.
"Now that we have a police station and some idea what the plan is, I don't know when we'll have the full set of plans for people to look at but they will be available," Siegars said.
In other news, Town Administrator Gina Dario reported that survey work was redone on the town's North Main Street property that was purchased in 2007 and the next step is to enter into boundary agreements with abutters before selling.
The 19-acre parcel was formerly eyed for senior housing about five years ago but that did not come to fruition.
A request for proposals will have to be issued after working with abutters and the hope is to at least break even on the purchase price of $225,000.
Tags: Lanesborough Police Station,
