BEDFORD – The Facilities Information and Communication Committee is pleased to share that it has launched a new website dedicated to the South River Road Police and Fire Complex Project.
The new website, https://srrcomplex.bedfordnh.org/, features a modern design and user-friendly, resource-oriented features. Residents can easily find information about the current proposal, videos, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Residents will be asked to vote on a bond request for a new building on Election Day, March 12.
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. It recognizes the need for a new building because of higher service call volume caused by both residential growth and an expanding commercial base, and provides public safety employees with facilities that allow them to best meet community expectations.
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. The project has no tax impact in 2024, an estimated tax rate impact of $0.10 (per $1,000 of assessed value) in 2025, and $0.49 in 2026, which reduces by $0.01 each year until the bond is paid off in 2044.
The Town continues to work through bonding scenarios and grant opportunities that will reduce the overall taxpayer impacts.
Residents with questions may contact Assistant Town Manager Jeanne Walker at jwalker@bedfordnh.org.