Select Board picks Turner Group to study police station, asks for market research on town office

The Select Board approved hiring the Turner Group to prepare three design options for the town’s municipal complex and police station and directed staff to assemble current market-research on the existing town office building.

The municipal building committee recommended the Turner Group after interviews and a subcommittee vote; the board voted to authorize Turner to deliver three schematic options: a standalone police department, a combined municipal building with police, and a police station configured to permit later site expansion. The design work will be paid from an existing capital reserve fund that the board had previously approved.

At the same time, the board discussed updated market information for the existing town office building. Members asked town staff to obtain current market comparables (not a full appraisal) from commercial realtors so the committee can present realistic listing or sale scenarios to residents well before town meeting. Board members said they wanted options presented and clarified that a formal sale or a decision to use proceeds to offset construction costs would be subject to further review and, where required, voter approval.

The board also discussed timing: the Turner Group contract and a scope of work will be returned for board approval, with a target date in July for a contract to be in place so schematic work can begin. Board members asked the municipal building subcommittee to bring a contract back for the full board to sign.

The Select Board approved the Turner Group by voice vote and asked staff to obtain up-to-date market comparables for the town office building and to present those figures to the municipal building committee and the board.