To the editor:
I think it’s extremely important that voters are aware of key issues in town and hear as many facts as they can firsthand so they can develop informed decisions. Such an opportunity is occurring on Monday (March 3) evening at 7 p.m. when the Dalton Select Board will be listening to a presentation by Brian Humes about the recommended design of a new Dalton Police station. Mr. Humes, founding partner of Jacunski Humes Architects LLC., a firm out of Berlin, Conn., has more than 30 years of experience in the design and construction of municipal police and fire facilities. He was hired to do feasibility study for the proposed new police station, just as he did for Williamstown. His current plans call for a 13,500 square foot main building, a 2,000 square foot storage building, and parking for more than 30 vehicles. Current construction costs are $1,000 per square foot and increase by $100 per square foot annually. This important discussion will occur at the Senior Center and people can listen in person or through zoom.
After Mr. Humes’ presentation, the Select Board will be discussing regionalization of police. As building costs skyrocket while funding remains modest, regionalization of services is an idea strongly supported by Governor Healey and our state Legislature. As a result, if a multitown agreement for providing cooperative regionalized policing services were to develop, the Legislature would very likely provide very significant funding toward making such a system a reality. This funding holds the potential to meaningfully decrease the cost of a new law enforcement facility so the cost of a new building is not solely borne by local taxpayers. This is another discussion that Dalton residents will also want to pay close attention to.
Although it will be a bit chilly Monday, I look forward to everyone making every effort to attend this important discussion on Monday evening at the Dalton Senior Center either in person or by zoom.
Robert Collins
Member of the Dalton Select Board
Dalton
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