Brentwood committee reviews one‑story police station plan with option to add town hall

The Brentwood Town Municipal Complex Committee reviewed a conceptual design Sept. 9 for a one‑story police station that can be built as a standalone building with space reserved to add a town hall later.

The design presented by project architect Doug lays out secured core functions — booking, evidence, armory and locker rooms — in the building’s center with daylight‑oriented offices and meeting spaces wrapped around that core. Doug said the scheme is intended as a cost‑efficient, slab‑on‑grade option with a 30‑by‑46 foot sally port and about 7,000–7,800 square feet of construction square footage depending on final program choices. He described the layout as “a one‑story scheme and a standalone building with the option of adding a town hall onto it.”

Committee members discussed offering the town a single strongly recommended warrant article while keeping information about two alternative options available for voters. One committee member said taxpayers should have the final say because “the taxpayers are paying for this and they should have the ultimate say.” The committee agreed it will prepare a recommendation for the Select Board and provide backup information on the other options so voters and the board see comparative cost and program data.

Why it matters: the conceptual plan will shape a warrant article and public outreach the committee plans before town meeting. The layout choices — slab vs. basement, single vs. combined building, and construction type — affect project cost, construction schedule and code requirements that could trigger sprinkler or other systems if total occupiable floor area or construction materials change.

Key details and discussion points - Layout and program: The designer’s plan concentrates secure, non‑daylit spaces (evidence, booking and secure storage) at the building core, with daylighted office and meeting spaces on the outside. The draft program figures mentioned were roughly 7,000–7,800 square feet for police and town hall elements; the sally port footprint cited was 30 by 46 feet. - Construction type and code triggers: The designer noted that if a combined building or per‑floor square footage exceeds certain thresholds (for example, roughly 9,000 square feet per floor for the wood‑framed Type V‑B approach), the project may need additional fire protection such as sprinklers or different construction materials. The architect said a firewall between the police and town hall volumes could avoid some code triggers. - Basement tradeoffs: Committee members and the architect discussed the pros and cons of a partial or full basement. The architect said a basement can slow construction and increase early‑phase costs (added foundation work, stairs/egress, potential lifts) but can reduce future above‑grade footprint. Committee members recalled past projects where basements added unexpected costs and schedule delays. - Shared spaces and operations: Staff and committee members explored sharing some support spaces (break room, copy/mail, multiuse meeting/training room) while keeping secure separation for police operations. The committee asked the design team to identify which spaces could be shared and which must remain dedicated to police functions. - Site, access and permits: The plan showed driveway and parking options and a potential secondary access. Members noted state rules on access (New Hampshire RSA) and that an application to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) may be required if the site needs additional public driveways; the architect said the firm will confirm access feasibility and, if necessary, pursue a NHDOT review or appeal.

What’s next: The architect will refine the drawings, including parking, doors and casework, and produce additional options for a combined or separated town hall. The committee also asked the team to test a partial basement layout with cost estimates and to show where future expansion could be sited on the plan. The design team aims to present updated options at the next meeting and to provide materials for a public information session tentatively planned for late October or early November.

Committee perspective and constraints: Members repeatedly emphasized minimizing taxpayer cost and avoiding repeated warrant attempts. One member recommended presenting a single, clearly recommended warrant article supported by comparative documentation on backup options to reduce the risk of a repeated vote cycle.

Ending: The committee retained the program and concept direction for further design work and directed the architect to return with adjusted drawings and cost guidance ahead of the committee’s next meeting and the planned public information session.