GATE - Groton Advocates for Tax Efficiency - does not support the $8.3 million police station project referendum.

The project would cost the Groton taxpayers $5,345,000 plus $3 million in interest. The project includes replacing the roof, updating the firing range, security system and processing room, two boilers, increasing the number of cells from six to 12, adding a sally port addition and 12-vehicle carport, parking lot paving and $3 million in interest.

This is an ambitions project with no breakdown available of what each item will cost the taxpayers. GATE does support necessary renovations to the police station. However, this referendum is presented as all or nothing, giving supporters of a less ambitious approach no option.

Also, GATE does not support the Town of Groton practice of removing items from the Capital Improvement Project Approval process to referendum, thus moving the cost of the project "off budget." This station project should go back to CIP and be completed in stages, in accordance with the budget process and what the taxpayers can afford.

GATE does not support the $8.3 million police station project and encourages the voters of Groton to vote "no."