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SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 <br />SPECIAL TOWN MEETING 2016 -5 APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE <br />members to understand current department operations and how the department uses the current 13,000 sq. <br />ft. building and its equipment. This, together with consideration of future programs, yielded a detailed <br />analysis of the use of space. Architectural analysis of the building systems detailed multiple structural and <br />building code deficiencies. Based on their space needs analysis, DSA proposed a new renovated Police <br />Station with an addition that would together comprise 28,300 sq. ft. of floor area. <br />Although the DSA study is only 5 years old, changes have since taken place in communications systems, <br />911 requirements, and requirements for evidence storage that suggest another review of space needs is in <br />order. Additionally, the Police Chief recommends that a special effort be made for new families moving <br />to our town, including some from cultures that fear police. For example, to make the new Police Station <br />as welcoming as possible, it may be desirable to include a conference room outside the secure area for <br />meetings of police officers with public groups. In any case, the proposed study will further refine the <br />space needs described in the 2011 report. <br />In addition to fulfilling the needs of the Fire Station project, the acquisition of 171 -173 Bedford Street <br />under Article 2 would move the Police Station planning forward towards completion. The proposed feasi- <br />bility study will provide information critical to the selection of a site for a new police station. Future town <br />meetings will be asked to fund design documents, followed by construction documents, and, finally, the <br />actual construction. If these projects follow the current projections, it is estimated that construction could <br />begin as early as 2020. <br />The Board of Selectmen needs to determine where to best site a new Police Station, both to advance plans <br />to correct the poor condition of the current station, and to give the School Department additional flexibil- <br />ity in making decisions regarding siting of school facilities. Choosing the sequence and relative priority of <br />multiple important capital projects over the next few years will be critical to meeting the needs of the <br />Town and managing the impact on taxpayers. The Committee sees the proposed study as an important <br />step in the planning process. <br />The Committee recommends approval of this request (7 -0). <br />2016 -5.6 Amend FY2017 Operating, Enterprise Fund and Community <br />Preservation Budgets <br />Funds Requested <br />Funding Source <br />Committee Recommendation <br />See below <br />See below <br />Approve (7 -0) <br />FY2017 budget additions and adjustments proposed under the current Article: <br />Early Electronic Voting has recently been mandated by the State Legislature. The proposed $6,250 will <br />cover the portion of the additional costs that are not expected to be funded by the State. <br />The Vision 20/20 Committee Update Study is a follow -up to two previous surveys, and (as implied) will <br />analyze attitudes and expectations of residents as part of the Vision 20/20 Committee's mission. <br />9 <br />Proposed FY2017 <br />Appropriation <br />Staffing for Early Electronic Voting <br />$6,250 <br />Vision 20/20 Committee — Update Study of <br />Citizens Attitudes & Expectations <br />$30,000 <br />Provisional Additional Funds for REV Shuttle <br />$22,460 <br />Early Electronic Voting has recently been mandated by the State Legislature. The proposed $6,250 will <br />cover the portion of the additional costs that are not expected to be funded by the State. <br />The Vision 20/20 Committee Update Study is a follow -up to two previous surveys, and (as implied) will <br />analyze attitudes and expectations of residents as part of the Vision 20/20 Committee's mission. <br />9 <br />