Westport police station plan goes to voters Aug. 2

By Bruce Burdett
Posted 7/28/16

They’ve already voted their approval of a new police station, now voters are asked to return to the question once more to weigh in on the method of payment.

On Tuesday, Aug. 2, the polls will …

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Westport police station plan goes to voters Aug. 2

Posted

They’ve already voted their approval of a new police station, now voters are asked to return to the question once more to weigh in on the method of payment.

On Tuesday, Aug. 2, the polls will open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. to ask whether voters will agree to exempt borrowing costs for the new station to be exempted from the calculations for the state’s Proposition 2 1/2 limit.

The question reads:

“Shall the Town of Westport be allowed to exempt from the provisions of Proposition Two and One Half, so called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to construct, equip and furnish a police station, including all costs incidental and related thereto?”

Twice in the past two years, Police Chief Keith Pelletier stood before town meeting and spoke of the need for a new station.

In 2015, voters agreed to hire an architect and develop a plan; in 2016 they voted loudly and unanimously in favor of approving a new $8 million station on Hix Bridge Road next door to the nearly new fire station.

Limited to 10 minutes, the chief could only scratch the surface of station woes during his town meeting presentation (even with a bit of extra time alowed). Still, voters had clearly heard enough and agreed to push ahead, leaving only final approval of the Prop 2 1/2 override for this August 2 ballot vote.

The present station continues to leak despite years of repair efforts, the chief said. It still sprouts mold especially in the downstairs (the detectives moved to the fire station to escape that problem), and violates many police station codes — from safety for visitors, prisoners and staff to handicapped access and privacy.

For instance, their are strict rules for construction and access to evidence lockers.

In his slide show, the chief showed the lockers they now use, lockers that look nothing like what they are supposed to use. These “were donated to us 20 years ago by the School Department.

The study examined three options but concluded that an all-new $8 million

station built on town-owned land alongside the Hixbridge Road fire station is the most cost effective and will effectively create a town public safety complex.

Average per-year cost to taxpayers over the life of the bond would be $33 for the owner of a $200,000 house; $53 for the owner of a $300,000 house; and $64 for the owner of a $400,000 house, the chief said.

Selectmen R. Michael Sullivan and Antone Vieira Jr. both voiced support for the new station plan. Audience member Kurt Hayes called the present station “a lawsuit in the making,” adding that police deserve a better working environment.

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