BEDFORD – The Facilities Information and Communication Committee has released its third
video about the ongoing Public Safety Building Project, as part of its effort to inform community
members ahead of a March 2024 vote.
The Town has worked on addressing public safety space needs since 2000. The Town is moving
forward with a plan for a Police station and Fire substation on South River Road, following an
extensive study of Town-wide space needs. The current plan has been developed to address
issues of risk, potential liability, and resident/employee health safety and welfare at the current
Public Safety Complex.
In the video, Town Manager Rick Sawyer explains the reasons for a new building at 300 South
River Road, the conceptual layout, building features, and estimated cost.
The video highlights:
- Increasing numbers of police and fire service calls, caused by both residential growth and an expanding commercial base.
- Constructing a single, shared facility to reduce costs.
- Providing public safety employees with facilities that allow them to best meet the expectations of the community.
- A breakdown of project costs.
Previous videos are posted on the Town website, and cover a general overview of the project and risk, liability, and safety issues at the current Public Safety Complex at 55 Constitution Drive.
The project is estimated to cost $34 million. The Town is seeking another $2.5 million to renovate the existing Safety Complex and the Town Offices building, for a total investment of $36.5 million. The renovation will upgrade safety facilities and create space for other Town departments.
The Town proposes to pay for these improvements through the sale of a 20-year bond. It estimates the 2025 tax impact of this bond to be $0.531 per $1,000 valuation, or $320 per year for the average $600,000 single-family home, which will decrease each year until the bond is paid off.
The Town Council will hold a public hearing on the bond on Jan. 24, 2024, at 7 p.m. at BCTV, 10 Meetinghouse Road. Residents will be asked to vote on the bond request on Election Day, March 12, 2024.
Residents interested in learning more about the project are invited to attend public information sessions on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 1 p.m. and on Wednesday, Jan. 3, at 6 p.m., both in the McAllister Room at the Bedford Public Library, 3 Meetinghouse Road.
Residents also are invited to tour the existing Public Safety Complex at 55 Constitution Drive on Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 6 p.m., and Wednesday, Jan. 3, at 1 p.m. Residents may learn more about the Public Safety Building Project on the Facilities Projects page of the Town website. Residents with questions may contact Assistant Town Manager Jeanne Walker at jwalker@bedfordnh.org.