Selectmen approve HDC application, engage bond counsel as police building plans advance

The Sandwich Board of Selectmen voted unanimously Dec. 30 to approve signing a Historic District Commission application that advances plans for a planned police building replacement and to engage Devine, Millimet as bond counsel to pursue 2026 bonding for the project.

Board Chair Joanne Haight said the police building is expected to be the town’s most significant 2026 expenditure and that the Police Building Committee is committed to energy efficiency and meeting Historic District Commission (HDC) regulations. Courtney Delaney prepared the HDC application for the HDC’s Jan. 20 discussion.

The board approved the motions without recorded opposition. Adam Heard moved to approve signing the HDC application; Haight seconded. Later in the meeting the board approved an engagement letter for Devine, Millimet to serve as bond counsel, with Heard moving and Haight seconding; that motion also passed unanimously.

The board also signed payroll and accounts-payable manifests and approved the 2025 municipal assessment data certificate. Delaney noted 2025 property sales values remain consistently higher than assessment values.

Other administrative items acted on during the session included the board signing previously approved revaluation and general assessing contracts and signing an intent to cut for two parcels (Map 223 lots 10 and 14). The meeting record shows unanimous approval for the votes listed.

The board ended the meeting at 6:49 PM. The police building project remains subject to HDC review and any further approvals required for design and financing.