Metro West emergency communications project advances; town to apply for second round of state funding

Town staff updated the Municipal Building Committee on progress with the Metro West regional emergency communications center, saying design work is advancing, permitting conversations have begun and the town will apply for a second round of state grant funding.

Staff reported the design team attended a business ‘one-stop’ meeting with permitting departments and that an elevator addition to the planned facility will require a Zoning Board of Appeals hearing because it changes the building footprint in a municipal zoning district. Chief Purcell is leading the state-funding application; staff said the first round of grant funding did not cover all project costs and that a second application is due by Mar. 6. The project anticipates going out to bid around July.

Staff also said they are advertising for an executive director for the Metro West district; the state grant will pay the employee initially and multiple towns joining the district in the future would share ongoing costs. Committee members asked about historic-commission involvement; staff said the historic commission has been involved informally, has visited the building and asked to photograph it before any construction occurs, though staff said no formal historic-permitting requirement was identified.

Committee members indicated they do not oversee the Metro West project but wanted updates to inform residents and to review relevant plans; staff said project plans and earlier public presentation materials are available on the town website.