Committee approves 15-year lease for DMV relocation in Raymond

The Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee voted to approve a 15-year lease with Vernco Freetown LLC for premises at 17 Freetown Road, Store No. 4, Raymond, to house relocated Division of Motor Vehicles operations.

The lease, presented by Amy Newberry, director of administration for the Department of Safety, was approved after committee members heard that the current DMV site at 315 Califf Highway in Epping has limited customer parking and insufficient interior space. Newberry said the longer lease term is requested because of substantial ‘‘fit up’’ costs needed to make the site accessible and suitable for DMV operations.

The longer term differs from the department’s usual five-year leases with renewal options. Newberry told the committee the lease will support construction and modifications required to meet ADA standards and make the facility fully accessible. "The outline of the fit up costs are in the back of your packet," Newberry said, adding the costs include work above and beyond ordinary construction to prepare the space for DMV services.

Representative Cloutier asked the department to define ‘‘fit up costs.’' Newberry referred members to the packet’s cost outline. Senator McConkie asked, for a future briefing, about the department’s typical ideal square footage and parking for DMV locations; Newberry agreed to address that at a later time.

A motion to approve the lease was made and seconded by Representative Melvin. The committee voted in favor; the motion carried.

The committee record does not specify the annual lease cost, precise fit-up-dollar totals, or an exact move schedule; those details were described as being in the department packet but were not read into the public record during the meeting. The committee set no additional conditions beyond the department’s presentation and the approved lease term.