Public Safety Building Committee Meeting: March 27, 2025

Members in attendance: Karen Cruise, Brian Keevan, Daeg Brenner, Tom Kokernak, Carl Soderberg, Claire Golding

Members in attendance remotely: Ian Catlow

Others in attendance:

Others in attendance remotely: John Bennett, Helga Lyons, Jim Hanifan, James Fiore, David Hillburn, Paul Patriarca

Votes taken in the following actions are “all in favor unless” noted otherwise.

Karen called the meeting to order at 6:32 PM.

No public comment

Minutes from the February 19, 2025 meeting were approved 6:33 pm

Jim from CBA began by explaining space needs on the site and that additional building size would be required to accommodate the design and mechanical systems that the committee chose at the last meeting.

Dave explained that the size of the components of the Plant system 2 would not fit within the current footprint and would require an additional 600 square feet.  Plant system 1 is the lowest cost and lowest maintenance and would fit within the existing footprint.  System 1 will still meet the new Stretch Code requirements.  Carl asked about rough payback times for the increased cost of 2 over 1.  Dave said utility costs would be higher for system 1; system 2 is more efficient and would use less electricity.  Ian estimated that increasing building size plus cost of system 2 would be $600-900K extra which would likely kill the project.

Dave recommended considering a propane boiler to lower the electricity cost of system 1.

Ian asked if there was an estimate for what size genset would be needed.  Dave suggested that a 750Kw set would be needed to provide backup power for the whole building.  Ian said this would mean that we would need a second propane tank on site just for the generator.

7:00 – discussion moved to site plan

Fixed areas are the existing and new septic systems, no tanks allowed in Zone A; tight tank and oil separator are needed; generator is also outside Zone A; underground water tank and aboveground pumphouse are against toe of slope; PFAS filtration tanks is 2500 gallons and is outside building; well requires a radius with nothing on it; antenna pad.

Brian brought up Zone A restrictions regarding stormwater discharge.  Dave said that Berkshire had determined that the drainage area could go where it is shown on the site plan.  CBA and CES will plan to present informally to the Conservation Commission at the April meeting.

Carl left the meeting at 7:15

Karen motioned and Clair seconded to go with Plant Option 1.  Ian asked to include propane backup.  All voted in favor of the motion at 7:23 p.m.

7:25 – discussion moved to elevation drawings.

Jim showed the current elevation showing the front of the building.  They added a covered area along the front and an additional roofline to showcase the front entrance. Ian asked about adding a window or something to break up the big triangle facing the street.  Jim said all the upper space will be holding mechanical apparatus in the truss space.

Jim will set up meetings with PD and FD to work through all the details regarding walls, doors, locks, communications, finishes, etc. in each department area.  John brought up chip cards for access and noted some facilities are using retinal scanners.

7:42 – OPM.  Karen has been provided with a few examples of RFQs for OPM from a few towns.  Karen will share them with the committee, with a goal of approving a final version at the next meeting.

Tom asked about status of school demo.  Karen said the report from Atlas is expected shortly, which will be used to inform language in the bids.

Adjourned at 7:46 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Brian Keevan