Municipal Facilities Planning Committee (MFPC)

Police Station InformationIn June of 2011 part of the original charge of the MFPC was to look into the condition of the existing Police Station and determine if there is a need for a new Police Station.

Our efforts focused on determining what would best serve the Brookfield Police Department and meet the needs of the community.

We took into account information in the Police Facility Planning Guidelines by the International Association of Chiefs of Police Guidelines (IACP).

Several years ago, a previous Police Station study committee considered a new 4,500SF facility. However, the final plan proposed by the architect was an 8,000SF station (too large).

The MFPC is in unanimous agreement – YES, absolutely the existing facility is inadequate and does not provide the Police Department with a facility that is adequate to serve the community. A new facility of approximately +/- 6,000SF is recommended.

Existing Police Department

• Force description – Fourteen (14) officers• One (1) Chief

• Three (3) Full Time Officers

• Ten (10) Part Time Officers

• One (1) Part Time Administrative Clerk

• Use of facility • At least one (1) Police Officer is on duty 24/7.

Existing FacilitySite

• Limited egress and access – Directly from Route 9 with a blind corner to the west.

• No separate parking area for Police vehicles or equipment.

• No adequate public parking – Parking area is shared with a bank, gun shop, tenants of adjacent buildings and the Police Department.

Building• Single family dwelling – Originally constructed in the 1960’s. Ranch style home with

attached single car garage on a lower level and a basement.

• First Floor – 1,314 gross SF or 1,083 net SF (including lower level garage)

• Basement – 949 gross SF or 932 net SF (approximately 26’8” X 35’7”)

• Entire Building – Total of 2,263 gross SF or 2,016 net SF

• Modifications – There has been only minor restructuring of the building for Police use.

• Updating – Minimal updating of the building’s 1960’s mechanical systems (heat, water and electric).

• Efficiency – Building is inefficient, outdated and does not meet the needs of a modern Police Department. This does not provide a facility fully capable of meeting the needs or expectations of the community.

Emergency vehicles share limited parking space with employees, the public and the neighboring commercial business

Current facility does not provide any handicap access for those conducting business at the police facility

Deficiencies of the Existing Facility

• Not ADA compliant – Does not meet current code/regulations

• Poor Security• No vestibule with security separation between police and public at the main entrance.• No CATV or alarm system in place. Single pane residential windows, doors.• No adequate arms storage capability.

• No public toilet facilities • Only one bathroom in the entire building that serves male and female

employees, detainees, suspects and is used for urinalysis sampling.

• Emergency use building – A Police Station is an essential facility and as such is required to meet seismic load requirements to ensure that it is capable of withstanding natural disaster events.

• No on-site emergency generator

• Energy inefficient – Plumbing, heating, electric services are basically 1960’s technology.

• Basement – Damp/wet (sump pump) and has had septic leak problems. Although the space is being used it is not good quality space.

Officers’ area is not protected from outside intrusion. Exterior windows are not bullet resistant and officers are accessible to anyone entering the facility

Bathroom facilities do not include suitable space for officers to disinfect themselves after handling biohazards. It is also shared with prisoners.

Deficiencies of the Existing Facility as a Police Station

• Little or no privacy in the building

• No sound attenuation in the walls or doors

• Limited interior door separation of areas

• No separate interview rooms

• Inadequate storage inside or outside• Archived files are in the basement• Evidence storage is in the basement• Some officer lockers are in the basement• Temporary evidence storage is in the basement• No adequate long term evidence storage (presently in the basement)

• Inadequate detention holding area

• Booking room is ineffective and unsafe for officers and detainees

• No locker room or adequate shower facilities

Existing facility is unsafe for officers, public and detainees.

Booking area is unsecured from unwanted intrusion. Prisoners are held in the booking area on a small bench handcuffed to a bar.

Break room is cramped for all police personnel and is also used for temporary storage, locker room and interview room.

Options/considerations and comparisons to other facilities

• Doing Nothing – Not an option as the Police Department has been temporarily at this house for thirteen (13) years.

• Buying the existing station – Same as doing nothing – solves no issues or problems. Spends additional money prior to building a new station in the near future.

• Put the Police back at the Town Hall – Where to find +/- 6,000SF. The Police Department is a unique function and mixed use with other Town Hall operation is not recommended.

• Availability of the State Police Station – Not available and would not be suitable for our needs.

• Buy and remodel an existing facility – An example is the vacant building on Mill Street. Problems are size, seismic code and access. This is an expensive option.

• Regional Station (Brookfield, West Brookfield) – ruled out.

What do other Communities have and what have they done or are doing to meet the needs of their

communities.

• West Brookfield (200SF in the Town Hall) – considering a new Police facility.

• North Brookfield (8,000GSF) – too large

• East Brookfield (3,400GSF in Town Hall building) – Although nicely done in a newer building (prior to current seismic code requirements), mixed use, not large enough. Presently has access/egress issues and lacks some necessary operational space requirements.

• Ashby – Rhienhardt Assoc. Plans/elevations for a proposed 7,100 GSF station. Slightly larger than our needs but some good design ideas and information.

MFPC final conclusion – build a new station.

The Plan

• Build a new +/- 6,000 SF Police Station on the Town owned Prouty Street property (remove existing structure).

• Incorporate the new septic system to serve the Town Hall, EMT, Fire and Police.

• What’s included to meet present and foreseeable future (50 years) needs?

• Rheinhardt Associates floor plan and elevations (example/sample)

• Meet seismic code requirements (classified as a critical use facility).

• Flexible plan for future Police/Town needs.

• Green building (LEED considerations – Platinum, Gold, Silver) not LEED certified.

• Energy efficient equipment: solar, geothermal, heat pump (consider system for all municipal building in the complex)

• Dedicated Police Department emergency generator

• Sally port and Police vehicle garage

• The new structure properly designed will allow and provide for economical operation of the facility.

• What would not be included – prisoner overnight holding cells.

Building: The facility should be designed and constructed following the Federal Lead in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines and strive for the highest level practical (but not LEED Certified).

• Foyer/Waiting area (120sf)• Unisex Public (ADA) lav ( 64sf)• Public Interview room (100sf)• Dispatch (300sf)• Chief’s office (220sf)• Sergeant office (150sf)• Booking Area (260sf)• Temporary Holding rooms (2) (200sf)• Armory ( 80sf)• Witness/Interrogation room (2) (100sf)• MALE/FEMALE DETAINEE LAV (ADA) ( 64sf)• Meeting/Training/EOC room (200sf)• Evidence processing area (100sf)• Evidence storage (120sf)• Training aid storage ( 80sf)• Patrol equipment storage ( 60sf)• Squad room/Copy-FAX center (250sf)• Active record storage area ( 80sf)• Archive record storage area (250sf)

Break Area/ Emrgcy bunk space (120sf)Male Officer locker room/shower/lav (250sf)Female Officer locker room/shower/lav (120sf)Bulk evidence storage area (100sf)Sally port (12x25) (300sf)Police garage (12x25) (300sf)Car port (4 vehicle bays – one bay chain link for outside bulk storage)Misc Storage (office supply) (150sf)Janitor ( 64sf)Mechanical/generator room (120sf)Electric room ( 64sf)Communications room ( 64sf)Overnight Holding Cells ( 0sf)Circulation (600sf ?)

5,050 NSF505(10%)

5,555 GSF

The Process• Receive Town Meeting approval for $2.6 M for a new Police Station

• Prepare a project Scope of Work

• In accordance with procedures of MGL – request bid for Design/Construction proposals.

Costs

Using the Estimated 2013 Construction Cost (ECC) of $265.00 per square foot a 6,000SF building would cost $1,590,000 for the building. This estimate does not reflect: engineering and design costs, construction oversight, and contingency, site work which would include septic, grading, water service, parking areas costs, final equipment and furnishing costs. Below is a summary of projected project costs:

6,000 SF building @ $265.00/SF = $ 1,590,000Site Work, Septic, Drainage, Parking = $ 310,000Construction Contingency (10%) =$ 190,000Architectural/ Engineering = $ 200,000Bonding, GeoTech Engr, Survey, Borings,Printing, Const. Testing, Relocation = $ 140,000Owner’s Project Manager/ Clerk = $ 110,000Furnishings, Equipment, Electronics = $ 60,000

Total: $ 2,600,000

FundingIt Is not in the purview of this committee to determine the funding aspects of the project. However, the MFPC has some recommendations and figures.

The most beneficial and efficient way to fund the new construction may be through long term loans or bonds, however the final determination should be determination by the Advisory Committee, Capital Planning Improvement Committee and Board of Selectmen along guidelines and suggestions provided by the town financial advisor. We should continue to look for and take advantage of any and all possible state or federal funding assistance and grants which may be available or pending.

Presently the Town of Brookfield is in very good financial position with low percentage of borrowed money.

CONCLUSIONMFPC unanimously supports the construction of a new 6,000 SF police station on the town owned land on Prouty Street.

The timing is right: • Construction rates are still down• Lending/borrowing rates are at an unprecedented low • Brookfield debt level is low