Lakeville voters approve $400,000 for police station design work

Town of Lakeville voters on Nov. 14 approved Article 2, authorizing the transfer of $400,000 from free cash to fund site evaluation, engineering and design services for a proposed new police station.

Proponents said the funds will pay for schematic design, bidding documents and related costs needed to finalize a design that can be presented to residents for a future construction appropriation. The article also authorized the Board of Selectmen to enter agreements and execute contracts, including those exceeding three years, necessary to carry out the work.

“This article is necessary to raise funds for the purpose of hiring an architect to design a new police station for the Town of Lakeville,” said Presenter (unnamed), who described the work of the police station design review committee and the engagement of an owner’s project manager to help move the project forward.

Officials noted the town previously appropriated $300,000 at the last town meeting to start the work; the Article 2 motion seeks an additional $400,000. The presenter said they do not expect total design costs to reach $800,000 but asked for sufficient funds to complete the design phase and return to town meeting in the spring with a final number and a design for voter consideration.

The Finance Committee unanimously recommended approval. After voters raised their cards, the moderator declared the motion carried unanimously.

The authorization includes the Board of Selectmen’s authority to sign contracts and enter agreements necessary for design and bidding. Town officials said the next step after design completion would be to return to town meeting to seek funding for construction, contingent on the final design and cost estimates.