Cohasset officials are preparing to ask Town Meeting for the final $21,783,000 required to transform 135 King Street into a modern public safety headquarters, citing critical safety hazards and "inhumane" conditions at the existing Elm Street station. During a public forum on April 29, the Public Safety Facilities Committee detailed a project with a total estimated cost of $32 million, intended to replace a facility that leaders say has far outlived its useful life. Chair Glenn Pratt opened the session by tracing the history of the police department, which moved into its current home on Elm Street in 1962. Three generations ago, they moved into the public work facility... which was built to last 50 years, Pratt noted, emphasizing that the town has spent years searching for a solution before landing on the former medical building on Route 3A. Motion Made by G. Pratt to open the meeting. Motion Passed (Uncounted verbal roll call)

The urgency of the request was underscored by harrowing operational details shared by Police Representative Greg Lennon, who described a department forced to process dangerous narcotics in the same spaces where staff eat. I have conducted field tests for fentanyl at the same table where officers eat lunch, Lennon told the committee and residents, explaining that the current squad room must function as a lunchroom, training area, and evidence processing zone simultaneously. Lennon further highlighted the lack of victim privacy, noting that officers are often forced to interview victims of sensitive crimes in the same spaces where suspects are being processed. He described the current 6x9-foot cell blocks with bars as outdated and unsafe, adding that the state cites the department quarterly for these deficiencies. Keeping someone in a 6x9 cell for a long weekend is inhumane and a security issue, Lennon said.

Financial transparency took center stage as Vice Chair Rich Kenture broke down the costs associated with Article 21. While the total project carries a $32 million price tag, the town has already appropriated $10.4 million. Of that, $5.4 million has been spent on design work and the $2.4 million purchase of the 135 King Street building. The estimating work for completion is $26.7 million, and we are asking for the $21.7 million balance, Kenture explained. When resident Jill Hughes questioned the all-in cost including 30 years of interest, Kenture noted that exact figures depend on future bonding rates, though Pratt clarified that interest is already factored into the tax calculator provided for residents. Thirty years is the standard term for such projects, Pratt added, noting that the investment is designed to serve the town for several decades.

The committee also defended the decision to move to King Street over renovating the Elm Street site. Pratt explained that the current location is tightly squeezed between group homes and elderly apartments, making expansion nearly impossible without displacing police and fire operations for three years. After evaluating 13 other parcels along the Route 3A corridor, the committee determined 135 King Street was the only viable option. Committee member Nate Weymouth highlighted the significant impact of modern building codes on the project's size, asking Lennon to clarify how much space is dedicated to accessibility. Lennon responded that roughly 5,000 square feet is required simply to meet ADA compliance, noting that current hallways are so narrow that they cannot accommodate a stretcher for a prisoner in medical distress. Forty percent of prisoners often require hospital transport, Lennon said, emphasizing the need for wider hallways and compliant cells.

Fire Chief John Dockray addressed concerns regarding emergency response times, particularly the status of the town’s second ambulance. Currently, the backup vehicle is housed at Town Hall without equipment because there is no climate-controlled space to keep it ready. It takes an hour to 'spin up,' Dockray explained, forcing the town to rely on mutual aid from neighboring Hingham, Hull, or Scituate—help that is not always guaranteed. By moving a fire apparatus to the new King Street wing, the town could immediately deploy a second ambulance from the Elm Street facility. Resident Greg Watts inquired about the current protocol for that second bus, prompting Dockray to reiterate that housing it under a roof at the new facility is the only way to make it available for immediate field response.

Public interaction touched on future-proofing and infrastructure. Resident Kathy McGuire asked about traffic safety at the new site, to which Pratt responded that a traffic light is already included in MassDOT plans for that section of Route 3A. The town does not have to pay for it, Pratt noted, though the light may not be operational on the building's opening day. Resident Amy questioned the potential for solar energy, and while Pratt said the building is structurally ready for panels, they were not included in the initial bid due to a long return on investment. Lennon added that the parking lot is being pre-piped for future electric vehicle charging stations. Nina Wellford inquired about the building's role in local disasters, leading Pratt to describe the 1,000-square-foot Emergency Operations Center (EOC) that will replace the current basement facility at the high school. This becomes the backbone of emergency response, Pratt said, noting it could serve as a warming or cooling center during prolonged power outages. Committee member Darby joined the full committee in their consensus to bring these details before the upcoming Town Meeting, which will serve as the final hurdle for the project's funding.