Prepared 11 February 2024, on this page you will find what documentation the CLARION has been able to assemble of the Walpole Police Committee’s work in ascertaining the need for, and what is needed in a new police station for the Town of Walpole. Reports below come from four different sources. In at least two instances, documents provided were blank or incomplete.
Now assembled in one place, this may not be all that has happened, but here is what the CLARION has located to assist you in your decision making to approve Warrant Articles proposed by the Town beginning in 2024. Beginning with a summary, the minutes are presented from the most recent in 2024 to the beginning of the meetings in 2022.
NOTE: The next Police Committee Meeting is scheduled for February 20, 6:30 in the Selectman’s office, then every two weeks thereafter.
TOWN MEETING – Saturday, March 16
Article for this project to be voted on:
ARTICLE 3: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred
thousand dollars ($200,000) for the purchase of 2.6 +-/ acres of land from Ball Park Realty LLC(Dunkin Donuts) for the site of a new Police Station. The said funds to come from the unassigned fund balance.
RAY BOAS, Publisher
WALPOLE POLICE COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Prepared January 31, 2024
and submitted to Architect for planning
In 2020, The Town of Walpole at the Annual March Town Meeting, passed a Warrant article approving an expenditure of $20,000 for a study to determine the most economical approach to ensure a Police Station that meets the needs of the Town. Covid delayed that study until December 2022 when a committee was selected to begin the study. The $20,000 was never spent because of the delay but subsequent budgets included small sums to cover the cost of miscellaneous expenses.
Rod Bouchard accepted the position as Chairman of the Police Study Committee. Members of the Committee included Dave Adams, Cheri Watson, Andrew Dey, Chief Justin Sanctuary, Trevor MacLachlan, Steve Dalessio and Peggy Pschirrer. Dalessio and Pschirrer represented the Selectboard. Meetings were held in the office of the Selectboard on varying days of the week acceptable for most of the members. A year into the meetings, Jay Punt joined the committee. Rod Bouchard left the committee temporarily, for health reasons and Steve Dalessio became the Chair.
At the first meeting of the Committee December 15, 2021, the Committee discussed the organization of the Committee, that as a recognized committee of the Town its meeting dates will be posted, emails between and among the Committee members are liable for subpoenaed as part of discovery. In addition, the group discussed potential sites for a new police station; it was agreed that acreage on Route 112, easily accessible by the public and a large enough area for adequate parking and impound area. A single-story building would be preferably, ADA compliant. A two-story building would require an elevator. The Committee agreed to visit the Walpole Police Station on January 19, 2022. They will also schedule visits to other Police Stations such as Brattleboro, VT, Chesterfield, NH, Hinsdale, NH, the County Jail in Keene and potentially others.
Members of the Police Committee toured the current police station in North Walpole on Saturday, January 15, 2022. Chief Justin Sanctuary led the tour and said the best thing from his perspective, about the station is its privacy as well as the impound yard is fenced in and there is adequate parking for the officers.
The Current station was built about 1960. It has inadequate storage space. Evidence is stored in the basement which has only one way in and or out and contains the heating system. One medium sized room serves as the main work area for the officers as well as the lunchroom and contains the drug storage and testing unit. One of the toilet rooms also houses lockers and serves as storage. Two holding rooms also often have storages as well. None of the windows or doors are bullet proof. There is one room available to the Chief and one shared by the Sergeant and Corporal. The Department Administrator sits in an area which is the access to the large work room. The building is woefully undersized for a modern, safe police station.
On Saturday, March 5, 2022, several members of the Police Committee visited the Brattleboro Police Station which is housed in a rehabilitated commercial building. The Brattleboro station has a large foyer with large windows, allowing the public to see the town’s dispatch station. The records room is located off the front foyer as is a Safe Room. The Safe Room is also u sed as a triage room and an interview room with an exit into the main corridor. The Lobby also has a Drug Drop Box. Doors are locked from 10 pm until 4 am.
All doors are electronically controlled and centrally monitored. Interview rooms have video recorders which are centrally monitored. The cost of the recording system was about $10,000. Body recorders use the cloud. Wi-Fi is throughout the building. The building needs better sound proofing as the VHS system is too loud.
Every officer has a mailbox, near the front of the building. The record center has two clerks who process Court Data and hold it for 1-2 years. There is a separate older file room as well as digital storage. There is a separate IT room with AC and a long-term storage room. Here are separate office rooms for a Chief, a Capt., and a supervisor. There is a conference room with a white board and IT. Bathrooms in the station are inadequate as the Women’s room has only one shower while the men’s room has two. Lockers do have electricity in them. There are no handicap toilet facilities in the building and the fitness room is too small as is the breakroom. The patrol workroom is large but inadequately furnished and has too few computers for the number of officers. There is a large evidence room and a property room. A separate room handles drug weighing and sorting. Evidence lockers are open on both sides of the locker. Guns and drugs are in separate rooms.
The group left Brattleboro to visit the Chesterfield, NH police department which is attached to a Town Hall in a new building. The station has only one holding room, a medium sized room for training and a community room for about 50 people, The Chief and the LT have separate offices. Other officers have steel case units so that each has a separate desk, computer etc but they are squeezed into a room that is too small.
The group also visited the Hinsdale Police station and new County Prison in Keene. Hinsdale seemed to have inadequate sally ports. The work room was large: evidence storage was overcrowded and shelves very high. That room is also intended as a safe room. At the County jail, the Booking Room and Holding cells were of particular interest because the Booking Center was on a raised platform with holding cells visible to the desk but each holding cell also had toilet facilities with some privacy. The storage room had bins with retractable rails for ease in movement. An evidence room could have moving rails for increased storage.
In July 2023, Michael J. Petrovick came to discuss his experience and background as an architect of Municipal buildings and learn the needs of the Walpole police Department. Mr. Petrovick stated his job is to listen to clients before beginning to plan, he also said hat accessibility is built from the start, not tacked on. M. Petrovick has about thirty-five years’ experience, 30% of which is with municipal construction. He described the process as Programming, Schematic Design, then Design Development ad Construction. He asked what we wanted. He was told we wanted a building that will last 25-30 years to which he replied, why not 50 years. Mr. Dalessio said he is concerned about incremental costs. Mr. Dey stated he wants an energy efficient structure. Mr. Petrovick indicated he bills monthly. After he gives us a proposal, he will have a discussion of what we want and what we need. He would also like a meeting with the public.
An infrastructure meeting was held in September in Town hall with about twenty people in attendance. The Police Committee report generated many questions. A North Walpole Commissioner asked if Walpole would sell the old station to the Commissioners once we have a new station.
The Committee discussed land options over several meetings and decided that three acres of land would be enough for a new station with a community room and adequate parking. The ideal land would be part of the 9.4 acres parcel next to Shaw’s’ plaza with an entry from the Upper Walpole Road. It is currently owned by a European company.
In February of 2023, the Committee discussed whether we needed a community room. The answer was yes, because it could serve as a conference room for police training and potentially an emergency shelter since Walpole does not have one. As a training room it would be equipped with video, smart boards, tables, chairs etc. As a Community Room, it would have a kitchen, bathrooms cabinets and storage closets.
The police property will have an impound area and will be fenced The Community Room would be joined to the police station but separate from the station. The group also agreed the building would be one story. It was agreed to write an RFP for architects.
Steve Dalessio delivered a presentation of the need for a new Police Station to the Women of Walpole and well received. We need to further our outreach to other groups.
In May 2023, Trevor MacLachlan presented his recommendations for a new station. The key elements are as follows:
- Minimum acreage of three acres; maximum of five acres
- Centrally located: Route12 between Aubusson and Vet Clinic
- Town water and sewer
- Parking lot with different access points
- Ability to build on the land.
- Minim site preparation
- No flood zone.
- Easy access to Route 12
- Good line of sight – both directions
- May need an emergency light on Route 12
- Flat land
- Orient building for solar panels on roof
- If no sewer lines, may have to have a septic system.
- Proximity to Fire station
- Need access to EMS.
- If land near Shaw’s, consider saving the Ball Field
- Land near Agway may have some wet areas- supposedly has a curb cut.
By June 2023, the Committee had communicated with several landowners on route 12 but no one was interested in selling their land for a station. The group learned that the 9.4-acre lot next to Shaw’s was purchased by Dunkin Donuts and was closing on June 30. As new owners, Dunkin Donuts expressed interest in selling acreage to the Town.
RFPs were sent to several architectural firms. Three responded they would submit bids. Warren Street Architects, the Northeast Architects Collaborative and Michael Petrovick, Architects, PLLC all submitted bids. The Committee agreed to interview Warren Street Architects and Michael Petrovick Architects. Following the interviews, it was agreed by the Committee to hire Michael Petrovick’s firm. The other two firms were thanked for their proposals.
WALPOLE POLICE COMMITTEE
January 22, 2024 – Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm in the office if the Walpole Selectboard. Present were Steve Dalessio, Acting Chair; Jay Punt, Trevor MacLachlan, Rod Bouchard, Andrew Dey, Peggy Pschirrer. Cheri Watkins was present by zoom. Dave Adams was absent. Michael Petrovick of Petrovick Architects was present to begin working with the group.
Mr. Dalessio reported that a warrant will appear on the Town Meeting agenda for March 16, 2024, to ask the Town to approve the purchase of 2.6 acres, for $200,000 to be taken from the unassigned fund balance. The actual price is less than $200,00 but funds include closing costs, potential boring requirements etc.
Mr. Petrovick suggested the new police building may be 5,000 square feet. He then asked how important the addition of a community center is. Mr. stated that such a center will require sprinklers. Together with a police station the entre building becomes an assembly center which must meet state building codes. The number of parking spaces is determined by the square footage of the building. There must be a fenced in area as well as an impound area. Mr. Petrovick asked if we have an ordinance that addresses lot coverage. Mr. Dalessio said no we have no such ordinance.
An acre has 43,550 square feet. Site plans require 30% open space. Discussion with Jim Clifford have suggested more land than 2.6 acres may be available to us. Mr. Clifford will be contacted about more space.
If the proposed community center were to be attached to the police building it will need separate ingress and egress. Building a separate building for a community center/emergency shelter is an option. The Committee would like to go before the community with a bond proposal for the new building in 2025. After discussion the group by consensus agreed to drop the community center from their plans.
Police Committee meetings will be held every two weeks, beginning February 6, 2024.
The committee will review with Mr. Petrovick what we liked from other police stations we visited, what we saw. In addition, we will discuss what space we need. We need to know what everything we want will cost. How will the building look? What will be the square footage. What numbers do we take to the community. We need a building that will last 40-50 years with perhaps renovation in 25 years.
Chief Sanctuary was asked what the department needs today, what will they need in twenty years, then maybe 40. Current costs are about 400-500 dollars per square foot for a new building.
We need to educate the public by telling why we need a new building. Ms. Pschirrer offered to provide Mr. Petrovick a summary of the groups discussions over the past two years. We expect to have a plan by mid-summer. We need to consider the future maintenance of the belong-what are the long-term costs. The building must energy efficient. Perhaps we need to consider the orientation of the roof for future solar panels.
The meeting adjourned until February 6, at 6:30 pm
WALPOLE POLICE COMMITTEE
MINUTES, NOVEMBER 6, 2023
Steve Dalessio called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm. Present ere Rod Bouchard, Trevor MacLachlan, Andrew Dey, Jay Punt, Chief Justin Sanctuary and Peggy Pschirrer. Cheri Watson was present on Zoom. Dave Adams was absent. Mr. Bouchard recued himself because he works with Mr. Petrovic in the County.
Michael Petrovic of Michael Petrovic, Architects, PLLC, introduced himself and described his history as an architect and his firm. Mr. Petrovic started in Keene in 2011 but left Keene and moved to Amesbury, Ma. He relaunched his own firm in 2019 and is back In Keene and in 2023 has six employees. Thirty- forty percent of his work is residential but he has always done municipal work as well as commercial. He has designed community centers, fire stations – such as the one in Westmoreland, and ambulance stations. He is working on the expansion of the Fire station I Walpole. He reminded the committee he had spoken to them earlier.
Mr. Petrovic said he moved to Amesbury to be nearer his family. He has three employees in Amesbury and three in Keene. Mr. Dalessio asked if he had time to work on the police station. Mr. Petrovic said he did have time. Mr. Dey asked about other work he has done. He was the architect for the Caterpillar Dealer in Richmond m VT and has worked in Maine.
Mr. Dalessio asked what are the challenges in working with small Towns? Mr. Petrovic responded that costs are always a challenge. Mr. Dalessio said he would like to start with a budget and then build a consensus in the community to support it. Mr. Petrovic indicated the need to tell people how their tax rate will be affected.
Ms. Pschirrer indicated a need to build a police station that will be good for several years. Chief Sanctuary ask if Mr. Petrovic has every build a police station. Mr. Petrovic wants to build station that will work for a small town and what we can afford. Mr. Petrovic said he can do zoom, but he would prefer live meetings. Mr. Petrovic likes regular meetings with his clients he prefers in person; meetings- to post designs, needs on the wall. He wants to learn the culture, how we work.
Mr. Dalessio indicated we have a piece of property in mind but haven’t purchased it yet. Mr. Petrovic said he can design a building, not having the property; he can plan for a building in our budget. Mr. MacLachan said we do have a property in mind. Mr. Dalessio said he is concerned about on going cost every year after the building is up. Ms. Watson indicated that public safety buildings are more costly. Mr. Petrovic understands there will be codes for building and a PD needs to function well. It will need a generator, be handicap accessible. The ADA will be part of the design.
Mr. Dey asked what software Mr. Petrovic is using. He uses Newformance Roneet as software. Mr. Petrovic indited he will be the primary communicator if we choose his firm. He will oversee everything. Mr. Dey asked what are the pitfalls? Mr. Petrovic answered transparency is essential in all the work. The dollars need to be defended in an educational way. Mr. Dey asked if he would hire a specialist? Mr. Petrovic responded for this size project he believes his firm can handle it. They are currently working in MA, VT, NH, and Maine.
Mr. Dey commented that we are talking with some larger firms. How would he handle larger jobs? Would he take jobs that would reduce his availability? Mr. Petrovic will do an early conceptual design wth costs and and then when closer to design acceptance, move to real numbers. He designs, Bids, Builds. Mr. Dey asked what are the characteristics of working in small towns that makes your job easier?
M. Petrovic answers: transparency, public meetings early on, community meetings, no surprises. No tight to the chest comments. Mr. Dey asked: Do you need a point person? Mr. Petrovic answered he could work with a committee. Mr. Dey asked if he would recommend an owners’ rep? If we have an owners’ rep, we need to share as soon as possible. Mr. Petrovic left the meeting at 7:15 pm.
The Committee then discussed their impression of Mr. Petrovic’s capability as an architect. The group also reviewed their impressions of the Warren Street group. The committee agreed to check references for the Petrovic Firm. It was agreed to offer the job to Mike Petrovic. There was a brief discussion of Tedd Benson’s work and whether we should consult with him. How could he help us? Perhaps we should include him in our discussions.
WALPOLE POLICE COMMITTEE
October 16. 2023 Minutes
Steve Dalessio called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Present were Andrew Dey, Trevor MacLauchlan, Jay Punt, Chief Justin Sanctuary, Rod Bouchard, and Peggy Pschirrer. Present on Zoom were Cheri Watson, Dave Adams and Jonathan Halle of Warrenstreet Architects, Concord, NH.
Mr. Halle introduced himself as the principal of Warrenstreet Architects. He stated his firm does a good deal of municipal work citing such projects as a Health Care Facility of 13 beds done with Harvey Construction, a Rockingham County Municipal Building with a County Sheriff’s Department, and a house of Corrections. His firm has also consulted on police stations that were not approved by Town meetings. Mr. Halle then asked the committee for details of the size of the police department, a potential location and traffic concerns. He was advised that we have a Chief and 5 police officers and we have a site identified but not yet purchased.
Mr. Dey asked what kind of attention a six-million-dollar project would get from Warrenstreet when most of their projects are over 10 million. Mr. Halle reported that he personally would work with an intern to do a feasibility study which he would accomplish in two months. He would be highly involved from the beginning with a study of our needs. He can begin as soon as we say go. We were urged to consider Quantity, Quality and Cost. Ms. Pschirrer asked what would be part of the feasibility study? Mr. Halle answered it would include goal statements in a document that would include a talk about construction, the site, a conceptual design and an opinion of construction costs. It would be design, bid and build.
Mr. Bouchard asked Mr. Halle what changes he has seen in Police Departments over the past few years? Mr. Halle spoke of the National Association of Accreditation of Police Departments which has guidelines for police departments. He asked if we needed holding rooms. We do currently have and would need holding rooms in a new station. Mr. Halle asked if our goal is to be accredited? Chief Sanctuary said yes, it is. Mr. Halle also asked what we wanted. We want three acres of land, Mr. Halle said we would need to have test bores done on the land and that he uses Randy Rhoades for that kind of work. He also emphasized that we need to be meeting with the community. The Committee has been part of two public meetings and has met with two community groups. If we were to hire Warrenstreet the first phase would take three to four months which would involve many conversations with the committee. We need to agree on expectations and milestones to be accomplished. Mr. Dey asked what works well with a municipality. Do we need an owner’s rep? Mr. Halle believes it is better to talk with the whole committee rather than one representative. Mr. Halle asked how a community center would be used, whether there would be more than one parking lot? He would want to talk with the Police Chief first, then the entire committee. Will the building be designed to allow growth? What utilities are on the site? How will it be plowed? Mr. Dey repeated Mr. Halle’s earlier observations about Quantity, Quality and Cost. A program design would be completed, then priced.
Mr. Bouchard said the new building would be 5-8,000 square feet with a community room.
Mr. McLachlan and Mr. Bouchard indicated the expectation that the group would apply for grants with CDPG and Northern Borders as possibilities.
Mr. Dey asked what distinguished Warrenstreet from other companies? Mr. Halle replied that they have a positive history, satisfied clients and can do a virtual drive up to the building which will help people see the end result. He would be delighted to work with the Town of Walpole to build a new Police Station. Mr. Halle then left the meeting.
The Committee then reviewed their discussion. They agreed to meet with another architect on November 6 at 6:30 in the Selectboard Office
POLICE COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 12, 2023
Steve Dalessio called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Present were Trevor MacLachlan, Jay
Punt, and Peggy Pschirrer; Cheri Watkins and David Adams were present on Zoom. Andrew Dey and Chief Justin Sanctuary were on vacation.
The agenda focused on potentially available property for the new Police Station. The
Committee has communicated with property owners on Route 12 to discuss possible purchases. The Committee agrees the most desirable piece of property is a three-acre portion of the 9.4 acres owned by the European Company who owns Stop and Shop, Hannaford’s etc. Amy Booth called Peggy Pschirrer to report that she now represents the agency handling the property on Route 12 next to Shaw’s and that is under contract to Dunkin and will close June 30. The new owner is interested in selling acreage to the Town of Walpole. Its sales agreement protects the ballfield on the property for a year. The Committee agreed they should look for options for the ballfield and negotiate for space for
the new station with exits on the Upper Walpole Road.
RFP’s have been sent to potential architects, but no one has responded at this time. The next meeting of the Committee will be on August 7, 2023, in the Selectboard office at 6:30
pm. A public meeting will be held August 23, 2023, at 7 pm in Town Hall.
Police Study Committee
Minutes, May 13, 2023
Steve Dalessio called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Present were Andrew Dey, Jay Punt, Trevor MacLauchlan, Peter Dexter, Justin Sanctuary, and Peggy Pschirrer. Present on zoom were David Adams and Cheri Watkins.
Mr. Dalessi asked Mr Macclchan to review his —– [this is all on that document]
WALPOLE POLICE COMMITTEE
Walpole Town Hall
July 20, 2022
Mr. Rod Bouchard, Chair, called the meeting to order at approximately 6:45 pm. Present were Cheri Watson, Andrew Dey, David Adams (by Zoom), Steve Dalessio, and Peggy Pschirrer. Absent were Annette Grenier and Chief Justin Sanctuary. Michael J. Petrovic, Architect, was present as a guest.
Mr. Petrovic was present to talk about his experience and background as an architect of municipal building and learn the needs of the Walpole Police Department. Mr. Petrovic told the committee of some of his projects in the area: Wheelock Park, Keene, restrooms, and concession stand; Walpole, Ma. and Wellesley, Ma., Senior Centers; Francistown, NH, Meeting House; and the Firehouse in Walpole, NH. Mr. Bouchard also indicated that Mr. Petrovic is working on the EMS Building in Swanzy for Cheshire County. Mr. Petrovic stated his job is to listen to clients first before beginning to plan. Ms. Watson asked him about designing buildings which are accessible.
Mr. Petrovic responded by saying his municipal and public buildings are all accessible. Accessibility is built in from the start, not tacked on. Any building he designed for us would be ADA compliant. He has had about thirty-five years’ experience: 30% is residential, 30% is municipal and 20 % is commercial. He has worked on historic buildings as well. He is an adjunct professor at Keene State College. He has a second office in Amesbury, Ma. He has four fulltime employees. He is also working on the Westmoreland Fire Station.
Mr. Petrovic described the process as Programming, Schematic Design, then Design Development and Construction. As a municipality, what do we want and what can we afford? What can the Town bear in terms of cost?
Ms. Pschirrer said we want a building that will last 25-30 years; Mr. Petrovic asked -why not 50 years. Mr. Bouchard said we want a Community Center as well as a Police Station. Mr. Dalessio said incremental costs concern him. Mr. Dey stated he wants an energy efficient building.
Mr. Bouchard asked “what should we be aware of? Are prices for building materials continuing to increase in costs?” Mr. Petrovic Doesn’t believe that costs will go down. Mr. Bouchard asked if he envisioned a steel structure? Mr. Petrovic replied that not necessarily; engineered wood is a good thing. Finish products are generally not delayed. Mr. Bouchard stated that the County is putting radiant heat on the new EMS building in Swanzey. Radiant Heat is not going into the Fire House extension in Walpole. Mr. Petrovic said we may want to use as much electricity as possible, and think of adding solar panels to the roof of a new police station. Mr. Dalessio asked if we should consider a modular design with premade panels.
Mr. Bouchard asked how Mr. Petrovic handles billing. He replied that billing is done monthly. He will give us a proposal and then have a Discussion for Discovery of what we what and what we need. He would like to have a public meeting to hear from citizens. He would then enter design development. He will consider our wants, our needs, and our requirements.
We will need bullet proof construction in many rooms and windows. The new building will require soundproofing interview rooms. Cubicles could be used for private office spaces for officers. Mr. Petrovic will use several different contractors for the project and will have performance specs for all contractors. Asked what is his availability? Mr. Petrovic said sometime in September or October. He must complete his work on the firehose and his work in Westmoreland.
Mr. Dey asked f t makes sense to design a building when we do not have a building site? Mr. Petrovic said we should look for land, which is flat and yes, he could do a design before have a site and adjust it accordingly. The committee indicated they would like to have land between the fire station and Aubusson Hardware.
There being no further questions, Mr. Petrovic was thanked for speaking with the committee. He left the meeting at approximately 7:40 pm. The Committee continues to discuss their impressions of the meeting and their recent visits to both Hinsdale Police Department and the county Jail.
The Committee agreed they need to consider not only the cost of building the needed police station but the annual cost of maintaining the building. The Committee agreed they need to look for grant money and ask for help from Leo Smith who is working with the Town. In addition, they need to explore the availability of land, particularly on Route 12. The meeting adjourned about 8:00 pm.
WALPOLE POLICE COMMIITTEE
April 20, 2022 – Minutes
Rod Bouchard called the Walpole Police committee to order Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at approximately 6:35 pm. Present were Cheri Watson, by zoom; Steve Dalessio, David Adams, Peggy Pschirrer and Andrew Dey. Absent were Chief Justice Sanctuary and Annette Grenier.
Ms. Watson reported that she is still looking for grants for the Police Station. She has found a Police Hiring Award for 2022. This is one amount for one officer, available through the Federal Office of the Department of Justice. Ms. Watson suggested that we look at the Police Station in Antrim as well as Hillsborough.
The Committee agreed the meeting with Todd Faulkner had been valuable and that his comments and suggestions were very helpful.
The group would like to visit the Hinsdale Station, the County Department of Corrections in Keene, and Antrim. Antrim’s new station focused on energy efficiency by using renewable energy such as solar panels. They also have a good community room for public space. The County Jail uses heat pumps.
The group discussed available property. They also agreed they need to be on the town water and sewer and need to know where it ends on Route 12. This could limit where we build. We need maps and or tax records of potential property on Route 12. In order to purchase a site, we may need to go to the Town to ask for approval of a bond to buy the land. We will need an architect once we have focused on needs and size of the facility. We need an architect who designs police stations.
The Committee ask itself the following questions: Are we focused on the right things? Are we satisfied with what we have done? When do we engage the public? Why do we need a new station? Can we identify what is wrong with our current police stations?
The Committee is focused on the right things and will plan a public meeting to discuss our observations and gather opinions from the community. Should we do a survey? Generally, the group was in favor of doing a survey of the public.Mr. Bouchard urged the committee to review the booklet he gave us several months ago entitled “How to Build a Police Station”.
The group suggested dates for stations visits. The Committee’s next meeting is May 25 at 6:30 in Town Hall.
WALPOLE POLICE COMMITTEE
MARCH 16, 2022 – MINUTES
Rod Bouchard called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Present were Cheri Watson, Steve Dalessio, David Adams, Peggy Pschirrer, Chief Justin Sanctuary, and Guest, Todd Faulkner, Deputy County Sheriff. Absent were Andrew Dey and Annette Grenier.
Todd Faulkner, a former Chief of Police of Hinsdale, NH, was in office when Hinsdale build a new police station up to current standard which includes a public meeting space for the community as well as for training. Deputy Faulkner emphasized that the increase of gun violence and the disrespect for the police, demand consideration for officer and staff safety in building a new facility. In Hinsdale, the lobby is bullet proof and had a safe room in case a prisoner is loose or there is any shooting.
Booking rooms are also designed to protect staff and officers. There are secure holding cells. There are no drop ceilings which can be a problem. Juveniles must be separated from adults. Good cameras in the building are essential; dispatch must also h av good cameras. The Lobby is square with brick and cement to stop pistols, deer hunting guns. Windows are bullet proof. The chief’s office is of ½ inch steel and has bullet proof windows. The Community room has hurricane windows. The front lobby had a bathroom with no windows. Kevlar and steel are used which are fireproof and bullet proof and expensive. The Sally port had some errors; they forgot to taper the floor with drains. It is secure so no one can get out and it could hold a large crowd in it. The Booking room has secure windows to protect bail commissioners. They have camera systems rather than a one-way window in interview rooms. Every room has a dual purpose; the community room needs to be bigger. Officers’ lunchroom is designed as a command center.
Hinsdale has a population of about 4,800 people but twenty thousand transients. The outer shell of the building is a wood frame with a veneer of 1/2 bricks. The idea was to save room for the inside. Demolition of the old building cost about $350,000 while the new building cost $900,000. They have 11 full -time officers, 4 parttime officers, 4 civilians. There are two officers per shift: 7am-5 pm; 2-9pm; and one officer from 9-3 am. They have a Chief, Detective Sargent, a Lieutenant, and an office manager. They have a large meeting area with workstations around the wall. They need more computers. There are both male and female locker rooms with showers.
Deputy Faulkner suggested that wi-fi not be put in the ceiling but be on a switch. Evidence room has a key card system, infrared cameras. They have an evidence tech. Room is built out of wood. A cabinet maker did some of the work. The computer room should have had a mini split so that it is always dry and cool.
Need sound deadened rooms. Have a generator which is propane. Theirs is a 90 K Caterpillar. LED must be in place. A gym and work out room are essential since officers must pass physical test. bought some equipment from Home Depot which saved money. Deputy Faulkner offered to go with the committee to visit Hinsdale facility. He recommended visiting Antrim as they have a good-sized community room.
Hinsdale has a chair link fence around impound room. Th boiler room is on the left side of the building, the evidence room on the right side with administration rooms, They have given key cards to the state Police, and Sheriff. New Officers should have the ability to do a cell phone search. Every case has a digital aspect. Computer forensics are critical; there should be a budget for software training. The Committee thanked Todd Faulkner for speaking. His information will be very useful in our planning.
We will be planning visits to other stations. The Committee adjourned with the question of when it will be appropriate to talk to the public about our process and plans.
Walpole Police Committee
March 5, 2022
PD Visits: Brattleboro, Chesterfield
Saturday, March 5, Rod Bouchard, Dave Adams, Steve Dalessio, Andrew Dey, Chief Justin Sanctuary and Peggy Pschirrer toured the Police Station in Brattleboro, Vermont at 1:00 Pm. Detective Sergeant Jeremy Evans welcomed the group and led them through the building, answering questions.
The Police Department of Brattleboro, VT is housed in a building which was once the home of the newspaper the Brattleboro Reformer. It was purchased by the city and renovated for the police. The entry foyer has benches, and a computer for public use. Large windows allow the public to see the Town’s Central Dispatch Center which operates 24 hours a day for fire, EMS, and police. Dispatch handles about 12,000 Police Calls a year, 6,000 EMS calls and 3,000 fire calls. The Records Office is accessible to the public from the front foyer and a Safe Room is accessible from the foyer.
That Safe is used as a Triage room and an interview room. It has another exit into a main Corridor. There is also a Drug Drop Box in the lobby, The front doors are locked from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m. All doors are electrically controlled and centrally monitored. All interview rooms have video recorder which are centrally monitored. They are charged individually. The recording system cost about $10,000. Body recorders use the cloud. The VHS system is too loud. When building or renovating it is important to pay attention to the ceilings and have good sound proofing. Wi-Fi is throughout the building. Everyone has a mailbox – near the front of the building.
Brattleboro is a Town of 32 square miles with a population of approximately 12,000 people. The Police Department has 27 officers. In addition to a Chief of Police there are four detectives. There is a Parttime Animal control Officer. The Record Center has two clerks. They process Court data and hold it for 1-2 year. There is an older file room, and they have digital storage as well. There is a separate IT room with AC and a long-term storage room for records, The Chief has a separate office as does a supervisor and a Captain. The conference room has a white board and is equipped with IT.
All cars have computers and phones are distributed each shift. Four- five officers are on patrol at one time. There are dead spots within the town. Cars are moving to tablets for better operability. Licenses can be scanned. The whole State of Vermont is moving toward one system. Bathrooms are inadequate. Lockers do have electricity in them. Women’s room had only one shower; men’s room has two. Need better handicap toilet facilities. Fitness room is too small. The patrol Workroom is large but has an inadequate number of computers – has only four which are shared. There is a uniform room. The break room is very small and inadequate given the number of people who work in the building.
The evidence room is large has, a refrigerator for blood etc. There is a large evidence and property room. A separate room holds the drug weighing and sorting. There is a prep room for going to court. Evidence lockers open on both sides. Separate rooms for guns, drugs.
The PD are getting away from field testing opioids because sometimes the court won’t accept their evidence. There are also have safety concerns. Overdoses are a daily thing. Detectives have separate desks. Detectives run evidence room. County has two victim advocates. They also work with DCF, coordinate with the State of VT State Police
The group left Brattleboro at approximately 2:50 to drive to Chesterfield to visit that PD Station which is attached to Town Hall in a new building. A part time officer gave the group a tour which lasted about 10 minutes. There is only one holding room, a medium sized room for training and a community room for about 50 people.
The Chief and LT each have offices. Other officers have Steel Case units so that each has a separate desk, computer but all are in a very small room. Chesterfield’s population is close to Walpole’s size, but the town covers about 47 square miles. EMS service comes from Keene.
Walpole Police Committee
February 16, 2022 – Minutes
Mr. Bourchard called the meeting to order at approximately 6:30 pm on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 20022. The meeting was a hybrid zoom meeting with Cheri Watson and Dave Adams present by zoom and Mr. Bouchard, Chair, Steve Dalessio, Annette Grenier, Andrew Dey, Chief Justin Sanctuary and Peggy Pschirrer present in the Selectboard office at Walpole Town Hall.
Andrew Dey was introduced as a new member of the Committee. Mr. Dey has a background and expertise in constructions, engineering, and marketing. He is the Senior Manager at Unity Homes, a division of Bensonwood. M. Dey first joined Bensonwood in 1993, left in 2007 and returned as with Unity Homes. Mr. Dey expressed some concern about how much time he must commit.
Site visits are to be scheduled for Charlestown Police Department, Brattleboro Department and sometime in the future the Department of Corrections in Keene. Mr. Bourchard has spoken to the Chiefs of Police in both Charlestown and Brattleboro. He has also talked with Sheriff Rivera of Cheshire county about training possibilities in a new police department.
Todd Faulkner is about to retire so he may be available to speak to the committee on how to build a good police department. We do not want to re-invent the wheel.
March 5 was suggested as a possible date to visit Brattleboro: Mr. Adams, Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Pschirrer are all available to participate that day. A visit will be schedule with the Department of Corrections when Covid subside. The purpose in visiting that new jail is to observe security, inspect modular cells an advanced HVAC system and how visitors are managed.
Other towns suggested were New London, Rockingham State Police Barracks and Chesterfield. Perhaps the group could visit Chesterfield after a visit to Brattleboro.
Chief Sanctuary what is necessary in a new building, what the PD needs to operate. The D needs three holding cells adjacent to bathrooms. We need to look closely at floor plans when we visit Brattleboro. Keene Pd has a separate public entrance for meeting space. Walpole would like a public meeting room as part of the new PD. It would be used by the community but also by the PD for training. It would need a kitchen, good soundproofing, be AD complaint and possibly meet RED Cross standards for shelter in an emergency. Ms. Watson ask if there are rules for temporary, short-term shelters?
The group talked about location and most agreed the new station should be easily accessible, probably on Route 12. We are aware of a lot of about 9 acres of land on route 12 which could be divided into smaller lots with approximately 4 acres left for the new station. We need to look at the Town’s tax maps to learn where there are empty lots and who owns those lots. Ms. Pschirrer will provide those maps for the next meeting.
Chief Sanctuary reported they receive anywhere from 300 – 400 calls per month. They may be at the station or on the road s=when calls come in. The need for a flashing light which could signal cars leaving the station for an emergency my be needed. The question was asked if the local fire station had such an emergency light? The answer is yes but it has been disconnected.
There is a data base for where calls go. Ms. Watson was asked to research some grant availability for new police stations. Ms. Grenier was asked to explore architect who specialize in building police stations. We need to consider size of the building the configuration, what we would like to have, and we must have in the building.
The committee will meet again on March 16, 2022, in Town Hall.
POLICE STUDY COMMITTEE
VISIT TO DEPARTMENT
January 15, 2022
Police Chief Justin Sanctuary led a tour of the Walpole Police Station on Saturday, January 15, 2022. Present were Rod Bouchard, David Adams, Steve Alessio and Peggy Pschirrer.
Steve Dalessio asked Chief Sanctuary what he liked about the current Police Department building. The Chief said he likes its privacy, the fact the impound yard is fenced off, and the adequate parking for officers.
The group next discussed the fact that the station does not meet current codes and probably never has. The last safety inspection cited many violations such as air circulation which has yet to be corrected.
BELOW – CURRENT POLICE STATION in NORTH WALPOLE
behind FIRE STATION
The Walpole Clarion 