Selectmen approve $25,000 for police‑building HVAC study despite objections over process

The Board of Selectmen approved a $25,000 appropriation for a study and schematic design to guide replacement of the Police Department HVAC system, after a sometimes pointed debate over procurement and prior work.

Public works director Gary Schneider told the board the police building’s HVAC units are old, parts are increasingly unavailable and the entire system should be evaluated and replaced. Schneider said the town has previously commissioned work (a January 2020 report) and gave an order‑of‑magnitude cost estimate for full replacement in the $700,000–$800,000 range. He described the $25,000 request as the study/design start that would identify scope, energy options and whether any equipment could be salvaged.

Selectman Greg questioned the need for another study and argued the prior 2020 report should be reused; he said the procurement flow — study then design by the same firm — risks scope creep and possible conflicts and stated he would “vote no in protest today.” Schneider and other members responded that the new study would incorporate past reports and that a licensed engineer must perform current analysis before a PE‑stamped design can be issued. Schneider said the selected on‑call engineering firm, GM2, has relevant experience, and Action Air was named as the construction firm used on a previous public safety building project.

After discussion, the appropriation passed. Members asked staff to provide prior study materials to the chosen firm and to ensure the engineering scope addresses locker‑room ventilation, data‑room compatibility and potential energy options.

The Board did not set a construction budget with this vote; the $25,000 covers study and preliminary design only. Selectman Greg recorded his objection on the record.