Weston trustees approve $4.5 million borrowing for shared Mountain Bay Metro police headquarters

The Village of Weston Board of Trustees voted 6–1 on Jan. 19 to approve borrowing $4,500,000 to fund the village’s 65% share of a new Mountain Bay Metro Police Department headquarters on Community Center Drive.

Trustee President Maloney moved to approve the borrowing, and the motion was seconded and carried in a roll-call vote: Maloney — yes; Cronin — yes; Ermeline — yes; Kern — yes; Lope Sorel — no; Jordan — yes; Sagami — yes.

The measure followed several public comments urging approval. A union leader and current officers described the existing facility as unsafe and unsuitable: Greg Schremm, president of the Mountain Bay Metro Professional Police Association, told the board the old building has “mold issues, mice running through the building” and a leaking roof, and said a new facility is needed for officer safety, evidence security and recruitment.

Chief Hunt, speaking for the department, said the department purchased land and paid for design work and is “roughly $750,000 in with the land purchase and design.” He said the plan is for the municipalities to borrow and for the police budget to repay the debt over about 30 years. “There’ve been a lot of half truths that have been put out in the last week here,” he said, and reiterated that the intent is to keep final construction costs within parameters already discussed with partners.

Several trustees pressed for comparative estimates of remodeling versus new construction; others said earlier remediation work had not been completed and that new construction may be the most cost-effective long-term solution. A member of the public asked that Trustee Lopez Sarrau recuse himself from the discussion and vote because of employment in a neighboring police department; the trustee declined to recuse and said he did not believe his employment would bias his judgment.

The board and staff noted that approval on Jan. 19 was not the final step to borrow funds. As staff explained, approval moves the project forward so partners can finish design and bid packages; the village will return to the board with bid numbers and a formal borrowing ordinance or documents before any funds are drawn.

The vote was the most substantive action on the agenda and concludes the village’s formal authorization to proceed with design and financing planning for the shared Mountain Bay Metro facility.

The board is scheduled to return with final bid and financing details before any borrowing is executed.