BRATTLEBORO — Brattleboro Town Manager Peter Elwell's memo outlined estimated project costs for the Police-Fire Project and a timeline for public meetings.
The most substantial changes revolved around plans for the Police Department. Each of the alternatives has a different scenario for the department.
The Central Fire Station on Elliot Street also saw a reduction in the renovations, but those reductions were consistent across all three alternatives. Plans created in 2013 to renovate Station 2 in West Brattleboro remain unchanged, according to Elwell.
Alternative 1: $1.275 million
• Move the Police Station to 62 Black Mountain Rd.
• Reduce the scope of work at the Central Fire Station on Elliot Street. This includes not building a third floor.
• Retain the plans for Station 2 in West Brattleboro.
Elwell wrote that the amount the town would pay to option 62 Black Mountain Rd. would depend on how long it wants to hold exclusive purchase rights.
Holding the building until March 2016 would cost $20,000. For another $10,000, the option could extend to either June or September 2016.
The building itself costs $720,000, plus half the option payments applied to the purchase price, according to Elwell. With the option costs factored in, purchasing the building will cost $735,000 or $740,000.
Elwell wrote that the plans for Station 2 have been pared as far as they can go.
According to the memo, moving the Police Department, called “the North End Alternative,” is the least expensive of the three options. This alternative will also include enough facility improvements to serve the residents for two generations.
Alternative 2: $1.375 million
• Police Department remains at the Municipal Center. Renovation plans similar to those approved in 2013. Some differences would include a reduction in the size of a proposed addition. The overall footprint would shrink a little compared to the 2013 plans.
• Reduce scope of work at Central Station.
• Keep the plans for Station 2 in West Brattleboro the same.
Elwell referred to Alternative 2 as a “One Generation Improvement Plan.” Although it provided savings compared to the 2013 project plans, the facilities - and the Municipal Center, specifically - won't serve the community over the long haul, he explained.
Alternative 3: $1.39 million
• Police Department remains at the Municipal Center. The project's overall footprint would decrease, but this alternative would require more “reworking” of the building's interior, Elwell wrote.
• Reduce scope of work at Central Station.
• Keep plans for Station 2 the same.
Similar to Alternative 2, this plan would save money compared to earlier plans but would serve the town only for one generation.
Proposed public meetings and taking comment
Representative Town Meeting will vote whether to approve any new plans and project budget.
In the meantime, Elwell has proposed holding public meetings at various locations in town to discuss the three alternatives with the community and take comments.
The board would authorize one of the alternatives in January 2016.
A Special Representative Town Meeting to consider the project and its funding is slated for February. The town would apply to the Vermont Bond Bank for funding in the spring.
Depending on what plan, if any, the RTM authorizes, the town would purchase 62 Black Mountain Rd. in the spring or summer. Construction would begin with funding in place.