Select Board advances Public Safety Building planning; Beals Associates selected
Summary
The Select Board reported the Public Safety Building Committee selected Beals Associates to advance architectural design and plans for Town Meeting in March, discussing design-build options and the possibility of housing a 24/7 paramedic crew; committee warned each year of delay could add roughly $700,000–$800,000 to costs.
The Newfields Select Board said the Public Safety Building Committee narrowed candidates and selected Beals Associates to proceed with the next phase of design work, aiming to have a proposal ready for Town Meeting in March.
Chairman Hoby Harmon said the committee reviewed the project timeline and emphasized that delays carry a financial cost, estimating that each year the project is postponed could increase construction costs by approximately $700,000 to $800,000. Board members also discussed incorporating space to accommodate paramedic services; the proposal would aim to house a paramedic crew at the fire station on a 24/7 basis to improve response times, with projected dispatch-to-scene estimates described as one minute to respond and five to ten minutes to arrive if not already committed to another call.
The committee plans to advance the project into the architectural design phase, and the Board said design-build considerations and other planning details will be evaluated before the final proposal is presented to voters. The Board emphasized that a completed proposal will include necessary planning and financial detail so Town Meeting voters can make an informed decision.
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