DALTON, Mass. — Police Chief Deanna Strout wants a more focused and actionable approach to the planning of the proposed police station. 

 

"We as a group need to pick a site, get [Brian Humes of Jacunski Humes Architects LLC] here to give a design, and get a cost so our community can make an educated decision … right now, what I'm seeing is everybody's going in different directions on this committee," she said at last week's Public Safety Facility Committee meeting. 

 

Despite inquiries from the public, proposed sites for the facility that are on private property remain undisclosed, Strout said. 

 

During the meeting on Thursday, the committee agreed to inquire whether the owners of the three properties assessed by Humes are willing to sell and become public.  

 

It is time to talk to these owners and make the options and asking prices public so the community can make an educated decision, Strout said, adding that the town could save millions on the project if it uses property that it owns.

 

Humes' assessment ranked the old Dalton High location, located in front of the Senior Center, as the most viable option.  

 

However, during a town meeting, voters failed an article that would have released the former school property from a prior town meeting vote requiring it to be developed for housing. 

 

Following the town meeting decision in May, the committee shifted its focus to community outreach. 

 

Since then, it has developed a Facebook page, distributed a survey, held tours at the police station in Town Hall, and held information sessions. 

 

Participation in the information sessions and surveys was lighter than committee members had hoped — 40 people attended the information sessions and 28 took the survey. However, they are discussing other ways to keep residents informed of the project, such as an emailing list. 

 

Building and Grounds Superintendent Jeff Burch, the department's Executive Assistant Rebecca Whitaker, and Strout walked the property behind the Senior Center, bordering High Street, which is "pretty big" and could be an ideal location to consider instead, Strout said. 

 

It is also less conspicuous than the property in front of the Senior Center, she said. 

 

"If we are going to explore this property, then we need to invite the residents all around [the neighborhood] to come in and talk to us. You are talking a $1 million to $3 million savings to use property the town owns," the chief said. 

 

The committee voted on Thursday to ask Humes if the site behind the Senior Center is a viable option for the proposed police facility. 

 

They also directed interim Town Manager Henry "Terry" Williams III to coordinate with other town departments and boards to get their perspective on the impact a facility would have in that location.