Sandwich selectmen discuss Sandwich Fair Association offer to acquire Central Fire Station lot

The Sandwich Board of Selectmen on April 1 discussed an offer from the Sandwich Fair Association to acquire the town's Central Fire Station lot and provide alternate parcels that could be used for town facilities. Bryan Peaslee, representing the Association, said the group would be willing to donate a parcel or parcels (including a 1.41-acre lot on Skinner Street or a lot behind the Qui mby museum) and offered to purchase the Fire Station building for $250,000.

Peaslee said the Association believes deed language may require the fire lot to return to Fair ownership and that the building may need to be demolished if it ceases to be used for fire purposes. "We would like to offer the town alternative parcels in exchange for the Fire Station lot," Peaslee said, arguing that consolidating police and fire office space could save long-term costs because office space is expensive per square foot.

Town staff did not confirm the deed restriction. "Courtney Delaney and Chief Call have reviewed deeds in town files and are not aware of the restrictions," the minutes state; Delaney told the board she will follow up after Peaslee provides the Fair's files. The town currently assesses the Fire Station land and building at $565,000, a figure Haight cited when the financial terms were discussed.

Selectman Caroline Nesbitt pushed back on changing the current police station replacement plan. "It would be a mistake to depart from the police building plan at this point in the process," Nesbitt said, saying the existing police building's condition is unacceptable and that the town has found a feasible option and funds to implement it. Peaslee countered that delaying the police replacement in favor of a longer-term consolidation could produce savings.

The board discussed practical siting concerns for the Skinner Street lot, including road access, size, and availability of a town septic hookup, and whether the modular police building concept could be sited there without building a sallyport. Staff agreed to investigate expansion feasibility for the modular layout with and without a sallyport.

Derek Meredith raised a cautionary note about unsubstantiated lower-cost alternatives, saying past community suggestions often lacked vendor validation. "Several rounds of bids and professional estimates have validated the existing proposal," Meredith said, urging reliance on data rather than speculation.

Chief Ted Call noted that proceeding with the police building replacement at the existing site could create a multi-town training opportunity and allow a controlled burn that might reduce demolition costs. The board took no formal action at the meeting; Delaney said she will follow up on deed language and site feasibility and the meeting was adjourned at 5:31 p.m.

Next steps: staff will review the Fair Association's deed materials and report back to the board; no vote or contract changes were made at this session.