FAQ - other (updated 4/1/21)

• Does the state ever inspect local police and fire stations, in a kind of accreditation process? (added 4/1/21)
• What are you doing to ensure the building fits into the residential neighborhood? (added 4/1/21)
• How much will the Town’s property insurance increase with the new building? (added 4/1/21)
• Has the Environment Action Committee been involved in the process? (added 4/1/21)

Is the Town planning to tear down the Princeton Center School?

No formal decision has been made to date, but the building is currently closed for use and if not incorporated into the public safety building, it has no use for the Town.  The voters will determine whether the front part is saved and incorporated into the public safety building.  The police and fire departments don’t believe that the layout which re-uses part of the Center School is very workable. The fire department really needs to have 3 drive-through bays and they don’t fit if we re-use part of the School. There would need to be a 4-stop elevator because of ADA concerns. In addition, operations of both departments would be spread inefficiently over multiple floors. The price tag for this option is significantly higher for many reasons and it doesn’t seem like a prudent use of that extra money.

The field behind the Princeton Center School is used by many walkers; will this be affected?

We understand the importance of maintaining access to the field for residents. Because of the lot limitations (really long and narrow), the building and associated parking lots and driveways encroach over the existing softball field. Parking for visitors to the building will be restricted to the spaces in front so that emergency responders have free and safe access to the side and back of the building. Once locations for the septic system and required holding tanks have been finalized, the architects can determine where additional visitor parking can be placed. If safe access to the field can be provided to the public, we will allow it.

Why is there a tight tank next to the septic area in front?

There are three tanks in our plan. One is the septic tank that works with the leach field. It will be located in front. The second is an oil water separator that will serve all the garages (washdown and snow melt water) and the extractors (laundry for gear). Ideally it will be located in a grassy area where a pump truck can access it. This water may be contaminated not just with oil but also with any number of bad substances (fentanyl, carcinogens, PFAS) and cannot be piped into our septic system. The third tank is water for fire suppression (sprinklers). The tank locations will be determined during the final design process.

What are you planning on doing with the large antenna next to the current public safety building?

We will most likely recommend leaving the antenna where it is, inside a fenced enclosure, with the equipment necessary to keep it running. We would then have a smaller antenna on the new building which communicates with the big antenna. This is an area that has not been finalized.

Why is the water system so expensive?

Per MassDEP, our expected usage of the station requires us to put in a public water supply. This is more expensive to install than a typical domestic well. In addition, the site is in an area of high PFAS concentrations and we expect that we will need to put in an appropriately sized point of entry treatment system and perhaps a water softener.

How will we heat/cool the new building? What will do this to the Town’s energy bill?

Some early thinking is to use radiant floor heating in the apparatus bays and forced air elsewhere. Radiant is frequently used for the bays because it works well at keeping the apparatus bays at a constant temperature and is more economical than alternatives. It is too early to determine the type of fuel that will be used and whether solar is a component. The building team will work closely with the Environmental Action Committee to explore and evaluate options. Per the building code, the roof must be strong enough to support solar panels. We are working on getting a sense of the energy cost of similarly sized and constructed buildings to be able to project how different our energy use will be. It is important to note that our existing building is lacking adequate ventilation and air exchanges so therefore may cost less than it should.

Will there be a vestibule with cameras that will be unlocked where people can go if afraid (road rage, stalker, abuse)?

There should be cameras throughout the facility. The outer doors for the vestibule should be left unlocked. The inner doors which lead to the lobby would be locked and able to be opened by dispatch to allow people into the lobby, which would provide some security from anyone on the outside of the building. The lobby area would be secured so no one could enter the building any further without an escort.

Why do we heat the apparatus bays?

Per the NFPA, ambulance bays must be heated to 50 degrees. We also have tanker trucks full of water that cannot freeze.

Why does Option B not have a basement? Couldn’t it use Princeton Center’s basement?

The existing basement has various levels (perhaps because there was ledge), insufficient headroom, and at most about 2000 square feet of space. In addition, we have no use for basement space and it wouldn’t be cost effective.

What is happening with Station 2 in E Princeton? When was it built? (added 4/1/21)

This project doesn't involve changes to Station 2. We are replacing the Fire/Police Station behind Town Hall with a new building on Boylston Ave at the site of the former Princeton Center School. Station 2 was built in 1984 and will be 40 years old by the time this project is completed.

What year did we start talking about the need for a new public safety building? (added 4/1/21)

There is a reference in the current master plan to the 1975 master plan which mentioned a new public safety building. We don't know if it came to a Town Meeting before 2018.

How much have we spent on the stopgap repairs to Station 1 in the years we’ve continued to vote down funding for a new building? (added 4/1/21)

We spent about $345,000 on stabilization of Station 1. To keep it that low, we didn't do anything about the sagging roof truss and the Police sally port (garage) floor. These two items were on the highest priority list but were very expensive. Note that the Police are not allowed to park in the sally port any longer.

Does the state ever inspect local police and fire stations, in a kind of accreditation process? (added 4/1/21)

No. At some point, we could have a complaint that brings in OSHA. The State might also get involved if we had an incident with a prisoner.

What are you doing to ensure the building fits into the residential neighborhood? (added 4/1/21)

The Historical Commission has asked to have a member on the Building Team during the design process to ensure that the building fits into the historic neighborhood. The Building Team fully supports their inclusion.

How much will the Town’s property insurance increase with the new building? (added 4/1/21)

Our insurance agent estimates that the cost for insuring a $12 million dollar building today would be $7200 more than what we pay to insure the current building.

Has the Environment Action Committee been involved in the process? (added 4/1/21)