2013-04-03-TFMP-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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C. Safety: Fire arms need to be handled and stored safely. The building should have safeguards in the event of a bomb incident. The building should be earthquake resistant. There need to be separate areas for those under arrest. D. Building Design: A centrally located emergency dispatch area and a community gathering room are needed. It has been said that if the current building is renovated, the four outside walls cannot be moved. This will restrict flow and interaction between units. E. There are additional needs that have been identified since a needs study was completed a few years ago. ■ The Town needs to re -think its 911 center; it should be a "survivable pod". ■ The recent accreditation review identified some additional needs. ■ The firing ranges need to be improved to meet current standards. Chief Corr recommended that the Town look at the program and then find the space that will meet the program's needs rather than finding the space and then trying to fit the program into that space. This approach is more important than whether the police station is joined with the fire station or whether it is relocated. As mentioned at previous meetings, Chief Corr believes that a new fire station is a higher priority than a new police station. In response to questions about location, Chief Corr said that visibility is important, and being in the vicinity of the center is advantageous. He believes the current police station location, the current fire station location, the Liberty Mutual site on Bedford Street, or a comparable location are all acceptable for a police station. He does not support moving the police station to an outlying area such as Hartwell Avenue. He believes it is possible to incorporate the Hosmer House into the design for a new or renovated police station. He also believes that a larger footprint could be accommodated on the current location by removing some of the driveway curb cuts. If the Police Station remains in its current location, there is the challenge of finding swing space during construction or renovation. Chief Corr suggested that Cary Memorial Building may be an option, but questioned whether the anticipated Cary renovations would be negatively impacted by such a use. 3. Fire Station: Chief Wilson discussed issues related to the Fire Station. A. Space: The current building is too small; a trailer in the back lot is currently being used, which negatively impacts internal communication and customer service. There is no storage space. Six pieces of equipment are stored outside; they should be inside a heated facility. The living quarters and the exercise room are inadequate. B. Mechanical and Structural Issues: The building is inefficient. It has flooding problems because the ground level is below grade. Ideally, there would be outside space for drying the hoses; Lexington now uses a hose dryer. It is also possible to hang the hoses from a multi -story building for drying C. Location: The current location is the best; anywhere within a half mile of the current location will work. Three years ago, when options for a new/renovated police station and a new/renovated fire station were explored, there were conversations with the Historic Districts Commission