Police Department

Current Location of the Police Department and Ambulance ServiceCurrent Location of the Police Department & Ambulance Service

  • Today, the Police Department occupies a building at the rear of the Water Street lot, which they share with the Ambulance Service.
  • This site, in the most congested part of Downtown, is very problematic, especially for the Ambulance Service.
  • The building is quite large but laid out in an inefficient and wasteful manner. (A good portion of the first floor is devoted to garage and storage space.)
  • A police desk or small office should remain downtown, but it is not necessary to locate the entire department there.
  • Ten or more parking spaces are reserved at the lot that could be available to the public.
  • The building has considerable commercial value that the town could take advantage of. It is assessed at $2.493 million dollars and would likely have a market value of approximately $3 million.
  • A better location for the Police would be near the school, which is the designated shelter in an emergency.

Potential Next Step: Construct a Smaller and More Efficient Police Department Building at the Former Garage Site

This option is dependent upon the resolution of parking issues at the school since this site, at least in the short term, will be used for supplemental parking for teachers.

This is a very good location for the Police; like other emergency services, the site has easy access to all parts of town. It is also easy to reach.

  • It offers enhanced security at the school. (The school is the locus for shelter in storms or other crises so there is a great advantage in having police and other emergency services nearby.)
  • The Civil Defense Officer can also be included in this space.
  • The site can accommodate 7,500 sq ft of building or more in 2-1/2 stories and a 19-car parking area.

The relocation also frees up space for 14 vehicles at the Water Street lot that is currently reserved for the police.

Sketch of New Police Department Facilities at the Former DPW Garage Site

Sketch of New Police Department Facilities at the Former DPW Garage Site

Step Three: Lease or Sell the Current Building for Retail Commercial Uses

This is a valuable commercial location in the heart of Downtown between the ferry and Main Street. Renovations of the Water Street parking lot include better pedestrian access along the north side of the lot passing directly in front of the building. If police and ambulance services relocate, an additional 14 parking spaces become available to the general public.

A sale of this structure would be for the building only. The Town would continue to own the land. The building is assessed at $2.493 million dollars (this is independent of land value which is assessed at $2.24 million). Market value is probably closer to $3 million.

If we wished to maintain ownership of the building, we could create approximately $6,000 sq ft of leased space which would generate about $120,000 of income per year to the Town.

Sketch of First Floor of the Police Department Building Converted to Retail Uses with Fourteen Additional Parking Spaces Made Available to the Public at the Water Street Lot. The Second and Third Floors Could Be Used as a Restaurant or as Office Space.

Sketch of First Floor of the Police Department Building