While New Ipswich wrestles with the future of its police station, a proposal has been made to make safety improvements to the existing building in the meantime.
In 2008, the New Ipswich Police Department began leasing office space in a building across the road from the town offices, after the former police station was closed due to an ongoing infestation of black mold. The move was pitched as temporary until some other solution could be reached, but the department is still there. The town has made several pitches for a new station, including purchasing and renovating the current police building or building a new station behind the town offices, but none have gained enough traction at the polls to pass.
During a Select Board meeting April 12, board members discussed a possible stopgap measure to resolve some of the long-standing issues with the current space. Selectman Jason Somero discussed the possibility of some space improvements, including adding a second entrance and exit, to allow a dedicated area for police to bring arrestees through. Currently, they are brought through the public lobby.
The plan has been approved by Police Chief Michael Abel and the owner of the building, who agreed to allow the renovation. Board members did not object to the plan, but said they would like more information before approving the work to go forward, and tasked Somero with gathering additional details.
“Right now, we’re very much in the exploratory phase. We’re looking into it to see if it’s something that we want to proceed with. It’s one of many options we’re looking at, but these minimum improvements, the chief and the Select Board I think would like to see done this year,” Somero said in an interview with the Ledger-Transcript.
Whether this is a stopgap measure or could involve more-extensive renovations to resolve issues such as the lack of a holding cell or a separate area for juvenile offenders remains to be seen, Somero said.
“That is up to the townsfolk,” Somero said. “But, in the meantime, there are things we can do to make the space more workable for the chief.”
Abel, in an interview with the Ledger-Transcript, said he still hopes the town will eventually approve a more-permanent solution. But he said even if the town was prepared to put forth a proposal in 2023 for the March ballot, and it passed, it would likely be another one or two years before the building was ready for occupation. If the town can use renovations to resolve some safety issues now, he was for it, he said.
Abel said those conversations are still in their infancy, but at this point, have included the addition of an entrance that would lead directly to the booking area and some general upgrades including new carpets, flooring or paint. No renovations have been done since the Police Department moved into the building 14 years ago, Abel said, and some of the tiles are loose and popping up and are in need of replacement.
“In my opinion, these are projects that are safety improvements that can be done while we’re in this state for at least another two or three years,” Abel said. “I think there are issues that need to be addressed now. I would hate to see something happen to one of my staff if it could be prevented.”
However, Abel said the end goal remains a new building or significant renovation. The current police station lacks space for full offices or training areas.
“There are things that we need additional space for to meet a professional standard, as well as things like having an adequate place to train. Police reform, especially right now, is pushing for officers to have more and better training. We don’t really hae a good space to do that here; we don’t even have the space to have all of our officers in the same room for a presentation. It limits what we can do at this facility.”
Somero said the board has not identified where the funds for the renovations would come from, if it were to occur this year, nor has the town received any official estimate on the cost. He expects to return to the board with further details of a possible renovation at a future meeting.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.