Rochester moves forward on public safety complex study

ROCHESTER — Walkthroughs, site inspections, interviews and cost estimates are in Rochester’s future as the town plans to move forward with a new building for its Fire and Police Departments.

On Tuesday, Dec. 20, the Rochester Public Safety Feasibility Study Committee held its first meeting to discuss the next steps in investigating what is needed for the proposed public safety complex. 

The town has $110,000 in funds for the study, said Rochester Select Board Chair Woody Hartley.

According to Ted Galante, owner of the Galante Architecture Studio contracted by the town to conduct the study, it could begin as soon as the week of Dec. 25.

“I need to personally go back and lay my eyes on the buildings,” said Galante, who explained that he and his team will tour the town’s current police and fire stations, take measurements and note any glaring issues with the properties.

Following the inspections, Galante plans to hold a series of interviews with anyone who will be occupying and making day-to-day decisions in the building. 

Galante said potential interviewees include police officers, firefighters and other emergency personnel. 

On the town’s side, there is even more work to be done. 

Ahead of next spring’s town meeting, where Committee Chair Arnie Johnson hopes to present plans to secure funding to design the facility, the town plans to tell voters why new buildings are necessary. 

“Getting the townspeople apprised of how awful your facilities are now is really important,” said Galante. “Show them: ‘This is where — we're doing all kinds of work out of this squalor — we’re taking care of you when you have a medical call or domestic issue.’”