Letter: Board Balance Needed on Dalton Public Safety Advisory Committee
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To the Editor:
I share Dave Martindale's concerns about appointing individuals with actual or perceived conflicts of interest to the newly formed Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee leadership. Several committee members either represent departments that would occupy and directly benefit from the proposed facility or have personal connections to those individuals, raising concerns about the committee's ability to impartially balance a best-in-class facility against a cost-conscious solution.
While their perspectives are valuable, the committee would benefit from a more balanced membership that includes independent residents focused on affordability, long-term planning, and the town's broader financial obligations.
I support the town's decision to explore a combined public safety facility. However, the police station needs assessment should be revisited before the town advances a specific plan. The assessment projects a 32 percent increase in total call volume and a 68 percent increase in staffing by 2045. Those projections are unrealistic based on historical call volume, crime statistics trends and the town's financial outlook — particularly when future budget constraints may require staffing reductions.
The town has already invested considerable time and money pursuing a standalone police station after previously rejecting a combined facility. Now that a joint facility is again under consideration, residents deserve a transparent process based on realistic projections and a cost-conscious evaluation of the town's actual needs.
The town manager and Select Board should consider adding neutral community members to the committee and designating the police chief and interim fire chief as non-voting advisers. They should also revise the needs assessment using supportable staffing, call volume, and population assumptions. A public safety facility is a significant long-term investment, and the town should ensure that the final proposal balances public safety needs with fiscal responsibility.
Amy Lennin
Dalton, Mass.
Tags: public safety buildings,
