BRATTLEBORO — Town Manager Peter Elwell broke down the potential paths and financial options for the Police-Fire project.
With the exception of the “minimum required plan,” all the cost comparisons assume a 20-year bond. The minimum required plan covers the bare bones of what needs to happen at the three stations and will require additional work in 20 years. Therefore, Elwell recommends not taking out a bond for more than 10 years.
Elwell also reminded the audience that the town could take out a 30-year bond. While the immediate tax impact will be lower than a 20-year bond, the town would pay more in the long run.
Interest payments on bonds are structured so that they increase to a peak payment and then decrease over time until the bond is repaid. The interest payments below represent peak payments.
Estimates do not include the $955,327 in bond money already spent on the project.
Minimum required plan
Police Station renovations include: replacement of the radio console in dispatch, mold remediation, improvement of access to cell blocks, installation of separate women's and men's locker rooms.
Both fire station renovations include: installation of vehicle exhaust removal system, asbestos removal, mold remediation, installation of emergency generators.
• Total estimated cost: $1.8 million
• Additional borrowing: none
Minimum prudent plan
Police station renovations will include: adding a sally port (a secure, controlled entryway) and creating a safer area to transfer prisoners to cell blocks; making “minimum” improvements in the Municipal Center to increase public safety, citizen privacy, and officer safety; making the new station more accessible.
Central Station renovations will include: roof replacement, upgrades to plumbing and electrical systems, construction of a simple metal garage behind the station to house large firetrucks, increased accessibility.
Fire Station #2 renovations will include: roof replacement, window replacement, increased accessibility.
• Total estimated cost: $5.4 million
• Additional borrowing required: $1.35 million
• Tax impact per $100,000 of assessment: Town will likely take out a 10-year bond, however, so the tax increase would be $14.36; $9.18 on 20-year bond.
Municipal Center
Police station renovations would include: extensive renovations and reconfiguring of Municipal Center, construction of an addition, including a sally port.
Central Fire Station renovations would include: remedying space flow and storage issues, constructing a hose/training tower, enlarging bay doors to accommodate modern firetrucks, creating a lobby and elevator.
Fire Station #2 renovations would include: building a new, single-story station in the gravel lot next door.
Elwell said a second option for the Municipal Center exists but is “not really worthy of additional consideration.”
• Total cost: $12.8 million
• Additional borrowing required: $8.73 million
• Tax increase per $100,000 assessment and 20-year bond: $59.18
Black Mountain Road plan
Police station would move to 62 Black Mountain Rd. While the building would come off the tax rolls, the town would lease 2,000 square feet to its current owner, the Brattleboro Reformer. The lease payments would be nearly equal to the property taxes, said Elwell.
Central Fire Station renovations would include: remedying space flow and storage issues, constructing a hose/training tower, enlarging bay doors to accommodate modern firetrucks, creating a lobby and elevator.
Fire Station #2 renovations would include: building a new, single-story station in the gravel lot next door.
• Total cost: $11.8 million
• Additional borrowing required: $7.76 million
• Tax increase per $100,000 of assessment and a 20-year bond: $52.58
All three stations sticking with original 2013 plans
Police Station: Would stay in the Municipal Center, with addition to and reconfiguration of the existing space.
Central Fire Station renovations would include: remedying space flow and storage issues, constructing a hose/training tower, enlarging bay doors to accommodate modern firetrucks, creating a lobby and elevator.
Fire Station #2 renovations would include: building a new, single-story station in the gravel lot next door.
• Total cost: $14.1 million
• Additional borrowing required: $10 million
• Tax increase per $100,000 of assessment and a 20-year bond: $67.92