The Town of New Ipswich is prepared to move forward on construction of its new police facility, pending voter approval on the town ballot.
The new police department building would be on the town complex behind the town office. It is planned as a long-term home specifically designed for police business, an improvement on the currently leased office building the department is in now, which was meant as a temporary situation.
“It’s not a police facility, it’s an office building, and they were put there temporarily when they had the mold issue in Building 2,” Selectman David Lage said.
The new building would be on the site of Building 2, which was ruled irretrievable, and the bond includes the cost of demolition.
The total cost of the building is an estimated $1.98 million to be paid over 20 year on a descending interest plan. On the ballot for residents this year is appropriating $170,000 for the first year’s payment.
Community members in attendance voiced concern over the long-term costs, especially considering that they have many years left to pay for the $23 million Highbridge Hill Elementary School, which opened in 2011. The selectmen said they have not calculated the annual operating costs of the new building.
Rent at the current facility is $1,700 per month, plus the cost of utilities and plowing by the Department of Public Works, and the lease is good for four more years. The building is on the market, and the lease falls to one year if it is sold.
The plan is for a 6,500 square feet of occupied space and 2,000 of storage. It will have bulletproof elements, detaining space and safe rooms to separate disputing parties, none of which are at the current department home.