Budget committee stands pat in opposing land for new Tilton police station

After hearing from the members of the Life Safety Building Committee, the town's Budget Committee stood by last week's decision to not recommend the town's purchase of a piece of land on Route 132 for a police station.

Opening the public hearing, Budget Committee Chair Toni Belair told the largely empty room that the majority of the committee is of the opinion that with the overall economy "doing so poorly" and "with many constituents out of work" this year would not be the best to commit taxpayers to such a large purchase.

"We are also concerned it will be another unnecessary purchase like 61 Business Park Drive and the Grange," Belair said, cautioning that the taxpayers would be better served by more research.

After a year of work, the Life Safety Committee, formed from the ashes of last year's town meeting, was charged with finding an appropriate piece of land that could house a police station and, with one eye to the future, a possible fire station.

Two years ago, voters purchased a building on 61 Business Park Drive for the police station, but further investigation revealed the building was unsuited for the purpose, mostly because it lacked a water source for a fire suppression unit.

Business Park Drive was also deemed unfit for a future fire station because it is not close enough to Route 3 and would increase response times by as much as three minutes. The property is for sale for $1.2 million. It cost the town $1.4 million.

"You make some good points," said Life-Safety Committee Chair Ben LaBelle, who proceeded to defend the $540,000 purchase because the current police station is too small and has issues.

He also said with the political future of the Tilton-Northfield Fire District hanging by a thread, the town of Tilton may need to purchase a piece of land for a fire station sooner rather than later.

"If we don't move on this land now and we need it in a year or two, we could be forced to buy it for a larger purchase price," LaBelle said.

Life Safety Committee member and fire commissioner candidate Pat Clark also said owning a piece of property and having some sort of vision or plan is crucial to securing any federal grant money that may be available.

Others from both the Board of Selectmen, who support buying the land, and the Life Safety Committee said research showed other property in the area was selling for millions of dollars.

"The town spent a lot of money for two studies," Clark said. "And this spot is excellent."

Clarks also added that if the fire district were to stay together, the spot would decrease response times to Northfield should the district one day decide to build a fire station there.

After hearing all the testimony, Belair offered the committee a chance to reconsider its vote against, but the motion for reconsideration failed by the same 4-2 vote it took last week against supporting the warrant article.

Selectmen will hold a similar public hearing on the article tonight. Annual town meeting is scheduled for March 13.