Little discussion on the new police station

FARMINGTON – Little discussion was generated at a public hearing on the proposed 9,000 square foot police station tonight.

Former selectman Charlie Murray said he had no doubts about the need for the new construction because the current 14-officer police department works in a cramped, 1,575 square foot space in the town municipal building. But he did want to know what this will cost taxpayers.

According to Town Manager Richard Davis, the estimated annual tax impact of the project would add $50 on a $100,000 property valuation. The estimate is based on borrowing $2,750,000 for a 30-year period at 4.5 percent interest rate. At that interest rate, which Davis noted is likely to be less, with a principal of $2.75 million and an interest payment of $1,919,918 over 30 years, the debt service payment would total $4,660,918.

Plans include a single story colonial-style building set on a 1.5 acre town-owned lot at the intersection of High Street and Farmington Falls Road. The building would have a single main entrance for the public that faces Farmington Falls Road. Two entrances off Farmington Falls Road and High Street would access the parking lot located on the north side of the building.

Conference room, reception area, break room, offices, interview rooms, storage facilities, exercise and locker rooms and a two-bay garage, are all part of the plans.

Plans for a geothermal heating system are being explored and an emergency generator for power outages is included. The current plan calls for 69 parking spaces, and provides some space for expansion should that be needed.

Murray was interested in the view of the building from the High Street side and adding signage for the building on that side as well, but added, “It’s well thought out and certainly needed. I hope voters will pass it,” he said. The hearing ended a little before 7 p.m.

At their regular meeting following the hearing, selectmen approved applying for a federal Energy Efficient and Conservation Block grant through the Maine Public Utilities Commission that requires a matching 10 percent or $3,505.20 in town funding for the $35,000 solar wall hot water heating system for the water treatment plant.

Davis said the installation of the corrugated black siding could save the town $5,000 in heating oil costs per year, if installed. Selectmen approved applying for the grant and using matching funds from the treatment plant’s special projects reserve account to pay for it, if the grant is awarded.