Montville takes another look at new police HQ

Montville - It's time to give serious consideration to the next step in building a new public safety complex, according to town officials.

At the town council's recent meeting, members reorganized various resolutions that pertain to the project and the building committee charged with overseeing its development.

Council Chairwoman Donna B. Jacobson said the purpose was to make the expectations clearer while the council's affirmation of its decision to continue gathering information on the proposal was a way to make sure "everyone is on the same page."

"It's important that the Town Council, the taxpayers and the committee itself are aware of what is being done," she said.

Jacobson added a new public safety facility could improve the town's ability to attract economic development to the Route 32 corridor.

She said the vote also puts the town in a better position to receive grants for the project, which could cost as much as $6 million.

Three years ago the General Assembly's Appropriations Committee had approved $800,000 for the project. However, the governor did not put the request on the state bonding commission's agenda for the final approval, Mayor Joseph Jaskiewcz said.

For this reason, and in light of the state's budget difficulties, the money was returned to the state's general fund, he said.

Jacobson said she will remain optimistic and try to get the money back for the project.

After the council's vote, Police Lt. Leonard Bunnell, a member of the building committee, thanked councilors for their continued support.

"It's a very big issue affecting this town for many years. I realize it is going to be tough pill to swallow monetarily, but it will be something we need for the town," he said.

The Montville Police Department has doubled in size since it relocated to the facility close to the edge of the westbound lanes of Route 2A in the early 1980s. The building, which the town leases from the state, is cramped, and all storage space is being used.

While the building is in rough shape, only limited improvements have been made because it is slated to be razed if an ongoing effort to expand the road - a main passage between the region's two casinos - succeeds.

With these items in mind, the committee concluded that the best option is to build a new, 16,000-square-foot police department and 911 dispatch center on town-owned property at 909 Norwich-New London Turnpike (Route 32).

Although the majority of the 17-acre site along Haughton Cove is hilly, the report suggested that the building would fit comfortably on a flat section and that there is room for ample parking.

Another potential advantage to the location is that eventually the town might be able to create a park or open up access to the cove.