On August 4, the Public Safety Building Committee presented a public forum unveiling the plans for the proposed new safety building housing both our police and fire departments. Held virtually, Town Manager, Michael Herbert, Assistant Town Manager, Jenn Ball, Select Board Member, Joe Magnani, HKT Architects, Janet Slemenda, and consultant, Amy Archer presented the new building’s plans. 

The presentation began with images of the current police and fire department buildings with each the Police Chief, Vin Alfano, and Fire Chief, Keith Robie, identifying hazardous conditions in each location, and voicing concerns regarding their current arrangement.  Each building interrupts the daily function of each Fire Fighter and each Police Officer. Alfano pointed out the police’s booking room highlighting the safety concerns between the detainee and Police officer in this small room crammed with office equipment, including a pointed-ended filing cabinet.  Robie highlighted each apparatus is custom built (at greater cost) to fit in the bays of each the Main Street and Cedar Street Fire Stations. Both Chiefs mentioned the added costs for running these inadequate facilities including renting storage spaces, and renting training facilities for their staffs. 

After deliberation between two worthy sites, The PSBC deemed E. Union Street as the best location. This property on E. Union Street was gifted to the Town of Ashland from the Fafard Estate, and has underwent the ANR Process and Land Court Process, with the final step being the transference of the deed. 

This location permits emergency vehicles to access the bridge avoiding access issues presented by the robust train schedule. The site does provide constraints including zoning setbacks, property line, topography, and wetlands. 

The site is significantly setback from the street. There is public parking in the front and on the side of the building, with parking for staff and cruiser parking in the rear. The apparatus will exit from the northeastern portion of the site. 

The site contains a three story building with ample space for the apparatus bay. The first floor plan consists of a main public entrance with lobby, the dispatch, records and meeting room, an elevator, space for police operations including- Sally Port and detention center, alongside fire apparatus and fire support areas. 

The second floor plan includes police support areas including locker rooms. Additionally, the second floor includes fire fighter’s living quarters, a shared gym, a training room, and reserved space for Mechanical Electric systems, and space for a green roof. 

The third floor is reserved for both administration for both police and fire, access to the green roof, and a solar ready roof. 

The PSBC consulted with the Sustainability Committee through the entire building process. The new building features low flow plumbing fixtures, a geothermal HVAC system, electric vehicle charging stations, and the roof is ready to support solar panels. 

The design development estimates the budget for required funding totals $33,204,153.  To fund the proposed project, Town Manager Michael Herbert has proposed paying for almost half the project within the existing tax levy. This would reduce the amount needed to be raised through a Proposition 2.5 debt exclusion vote. The estimated excluded debt portion for taxpayers totals $147 for the average home. 

Having one public safety building benefits the town, lowering expenses for two different locations. The current fire station on Main Street was constructed in 1928 and refurbished in 1992. The Police Station is rented on 91 Main Street for roughly $30,000 annually. These current buildings can then be reused or redeveloped. For example, the Main Street Fire Station could make an excellent restaurant or brewery as has been done in other towns.  

The next steps for the project include a third-party estimate of costs, the development of Construction Design documents, and another third-party estimate of costs. From there, the project will enter the bidding process. The bids then would be presented at Special Town Meeting and Special Town Election. 

“In this effort, the committee has modernized and has reduced yearly costs to the taxpayers of Ashland. This committee has worked with both Chiefs and their personnel, to assist our architects in creating a combined public police and fire department complex to meet the today’s current needs for each department and for the next fifty years, while achieving Ashland’s long term goal and Ashland’s commitment to a net zero and a sustainable building committed to the great innovative,” Select Board Member, Joe Magnani. 

If you have not already viewed this presentation, you can watch the forum on WACA TV’s YouTube Channel https://bit.ly/3kCJQv4.