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LiveForFreedom May 21, 2013 at 12:18 am
The center corridor of Ledyard has premium real estate and it is limited as to what is available
I…Read More would prefer to see a commercial entity build something in the center of town that conforms to the design and theme of Ledyard Center. A Police Station can be built anywhere in the 3 mile radius of the town. A commercial building would bring in much needed tax dollars to the town budget.
Andrew May 20, 2013 at 11:20 pm
Mike, Yes, the Ledyard Center School is currently being used. However, in a few years from now…Read More it will sit VACANT. I would hope the Permanent Municipal Building Committee has considered all options. A lack of response to my question from the Building Committee and Town Councilors leads me to believe that this site has not been considered (only because today it is occupied). :(
Eric Treaster May 20, 2013 at 10:23 pm
I believe most people agree a satisfactory police station is a legitimate need - but how to get it…Read More is the challenge.
Regarding Susan Mendenhall's comment "This much needed relocation [from the Town Hall Annex to the existing police station location in 1995] was only intended to be a stop gap measure until the town could afford a more suitable building ...." – what are the changes in our Town, which has had virtually no growth for 30 years, that make a $6,750,000 police station affordable at this time?
Technically, what is being voted upon is for more than "just" a police station – it is a vote to spend up to $546/foot ($6,750,000) for a new 12,354 foot police station, with about $3,000,000 of its cost spent for site preparation due to the unusual characteristics of the proposed location adjacent to Town Hall. These include a steep slope (requiring a two-story police station, elevator, etc.), demolition of the old fire station, demolition of the Town Engineer's office, a new septic system, a new parking lot and its paving, acquisition of additional land, extensive landscaping, and the costly impact of the Design Guidelines for new construction in the Ledyard Center Village District.
Even though I believe a satisfactory police station is needed, I believe its proposed location is unnecessary, it will cost too much, and it is wrong.
Taxpayers will save millions of dollars and still have a satisfactory (but not gold plated) police station by choosing an alternative location with an existing vacant building, for example the Gales Ferry School, that is structurally sound, has adequate space, adequate paved parking, room for future growth, a new septic system, public water, will require no site preparation costs, and which can easily be remodeled at low cost and with no risk.
I urge a "NO" vote (Tuesday, May 21) on the proposed bonding for the $6,750,000 police station for construction adjacent to Town Hall. A "NO" vote will send a message that taxpayers are unwilling to pay more than necessary for town services. We can do better.
Andrew May 19, 2013 at 06:12 pm
Shortly after the Boston terrorist attack, Town Councilor Bill Saums stated that out of honor and…Read More respect for our local police force, we should support a new police station! Wow! I am sure that our local police force do an admirable job! But, if we follow Mr. Saums' generous and irresponsible train of thought, what will be next? Perhaps, new school buildings for our teachers (starting with the middle school)? Seriously, let's identify the costs for maintenance and repairs and stay with the current police complex. Along with my neighbors, I will be voting NO.
LiveForFreedom May 19, 2013 at 04:46 pm
If this referendum does not allow the voter a choice for locations or does not disclose the bonding…Read More costs, I will vote NO on this proposal.
Caron Wieringa May 19, 2013 at 03:56 pm
Side note - I have only lived in Ledyard for 7 years, where I lived before - our PD and City Hall…Read More are next to each other - a walkway and some shrubs and flower beds separate them - I guess I don't see what the big fuss is over the PD's proposed location.
Joan McDaniel May 21, 2013 at 04:25 am
I'm glad to see this. I just read an article from the Heath Ranger who talked about your GMO…Read More education effort. Keep up the good work
Joan McDaniel
http://coconutcreamcare.com
Cindy Eilenberger April 29, 2013 at 12:01 pm
The owner of the calf has been reunited with its owner at Stonington Gardens. Thank you to everyone…Read More who helped look and share the news!
Ledyard to Vote on Town Budget, Police Station
2 Recommend Jessie King (Editor)