ROCHESTER – The Rochester Select Board unanimously voted to sign The Galante Architecture Studio as the firm to conduct a study for a public safety building at their meeting on Monday, Nov. 21.

The study is planned to take place through the winter, with finalized plans to be presented to citizens for a vote at Spring Town Meeting in 2023, said Town Administrator Glenn Cannon.

The Galante Architecture Studio will assist in conducting the study, along with appointed members of the Public Safety Feasibility Study Committee.

The study will look into the feasibility of a new building to house the Rochester Police Department and Rochester Fire Department, as well as the potential benefits to the town.

The town chose The Galante Architecture Studio for this study based on their experience and specialization in public safety buildings.

Select Board member Brad Morse said that while he thought all firms were excellent, his choice was TGAS because, “they had worked more with fire, emergency services, and police.”

“They didn’t spend time talking about schools, libraries, or other types of buildings. They talked all about what we’re looking for in this particular building,” Morse added.

The town is already looking into possible locations for this new building.

At the Nov. 21 Select Board Meeting, Cannon read a letter from Delaney & Muncey, P.C., a legal firm, on behalf of Alan Cervelli. Cervelli is looking to sell a parcel of land on Mendall Road to the town.

Cervelli is the owner of Cervelli Farms and Cervelli Farm Stand on Rounseville Road.

“I told them about the feasibility study and that this land could have some possibilities for that study,” Cannon said. He said that even if it isn’t the top rated parcel of land in the study, the town might still be interested in taking a look at it.

“They know we’d have to go to Town Meeting and this could take a while,” Cannon added. “But they’re willing to wait for us.”