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Board holds second public hearing on proposed Davidson Road police site; residents press for budget transparency
Summary
The select board held the second of two required public hearings on acquiring a Davidson Road parcel for a new police facility; committee members outlined site selection steps and residents urged clearer notice and transparency about the police budget and the future of the existing station. No acquisition vote was taken; the board plans a decision on June 17.
The Henniker Board of Selectmen held the second of two public hearings on a proposed acquisition of a parcel on Davidson Road for a future police facility. Town staff said the funding for a site purchase was established at a previous town meeting and the board, as agents, may expend from that fund after the public process. The committee that studied sites reported it found limited suitable properties and recommended pursuing the Davidson Road parcel.
Committee member Bill, who described the committee’s work, said the group evaluated the existing police station and performed site testing at Davidson Road, including test pits, and found the site suitable for building. "We went out there with a backhoe and we dug it up just to see what that soil was like," he said.
Several residents asked about transparency and the future of the current station. One resident told the board that many neighbors first learned of the relocation only after town meeting and said, "The police are by and far our largest budget item and trying to find out how that budget is spent is very difficult." The resident urged clearer public notice and more transparency about the police budget.
The committee noted no final decision has been made about the existing building, and suggested it could be marketed if a new facility is built, but emphasized the committee is advisory. Diane said if the board advances an acquisition motion, the board would proceed with closing and follow with planning and consulting on the new facility; staff also said any construction funding would require future town meeting or appropriation when costs are known.
The board closed the hearing with no action taken at the meeting; a vote on acquiring the property is scheduled for a future meeting (June 17 was referenced for a motion and vote).
