FAQ - Why is building needed

Why is a new building needed?

Our existing police/fire complex in the center of town is:

  • Posing life and health risks to our firefighters/EMTs (dragging risk by having firefighters too close to moving equipment as they put on their gear, carcinogen & other hazards from contaminated gear.) See this recent Boston Globe article on PFAS contamination from exposure to toxic dust in gear storage areas. Our gear is stored in the open and there is no good separation of this space from other areas.
  • Missing required features for safe handling of prisoners putting prisoners and police at risk.
  • Inadequately sized for our functional, equipment, and staffing needs. 
  • Continuing to face structural problems even after stabilization, with a rising cost to maintain. 
  • Missing critical spaces such as adequately sized apparatus bays, decontamination facilities, holding cells, sally port, bunk room, code compliant fitness room, and Emergency Operations Center (EOC).