The Public Safety Facilities Committee is sharpening its arguments for a new headquarters, citing failing 1960s-era infrastructure that has begun to compromise daily operations and officer safety. During an April 8 meeting, Patrol Union President Jay Skero shared a visceral account of equipment failure at the current station, describing a situation where malfunctioning gun lockers prevented two officers from accessing their duty weapons at the start of a shift. Last night we had an awful situation, Skero said. When we did booking, we put weapons into a gun locker that was likely installed when the station was built. It malfunctioned... this facility is endangering my officers.

The committee is preparing to present the approximately $30 million project to voters at Town Meeting, leaning on data that illustrates how Cohasset has outgrown its current facilities. Police Chief William Quigley noted that while the station was originally designed for a nine-officer department in 1962, the town now sees 3.9 million vehicles travel down Route 3A annually. To say we are a department policing only 8,300 residents is not accurate, Quigley told the committee, emphasizing that the department’s scope has expanded far beyond the town’s residential population.

Fire Chief John Dockray echoed the theme of modernization, explaining that the department has evolved from a basic fire service to a provider of Advanced Life Care. We aren't just building for today; we are building for the next 50 or 60 years, Dockray added, noting that the new facility would better support modern ambulance services and fire prevention programs that didn't exist when the current station opened.

To help residents visualize the financial impact, Town Manager Michelle Leary announced the upcoming release of a tax calculator designed to show how the project affects individual property bills. Leary clarified that the town would use progressive borrowing rather than taking on the full project cost at once. The tax calculator is very simple, Leary said. You will see small amounts now for the purchase and design, and then progress payments when construction happens. We aren't borrowing the entire amount at once.

The committee’s strategy for Town Meeting involves a lean presentation focused on the necessity of the project. Chair Glenn Pratt suggested that financial experts like Rich Kingship should lead the numbers portion of the discussion, while the police and fire chiefs might use pre-recorded videos to ensure their messages remain scripted and concise. Member Dan Taffy suggested keeping architects on standby for technical questions rather than having them present from the start. I might just put the architects on standby and take them out of the mix for the main presentation, Taffy said. We're going to have quite a few people speaking and I don't want to clutter the message.

Addressing common resident suggestions to renovate the existing Elm Street station, referred to as "Option B," the committee explained why alternative sites have been disqualified. Kevin McDonald noted that renovate and add on to Elm Street is the primary alternative he hears from the community. However, Glenn Pratt argued that sites like the Esposito property are non-viable due to Peppermint Brook, a major tributary to the local pond. The Water Commission would tie it up for 10 years, Pratt warned. They won't stand for a truck garage there.

Advisory Committee member Mark Cameron urged the town to view the project through the lens of deferred maintenance costs, arguing there is no option to do nothing. If we don't do this, continued band-aid fixes will cost us more for less in the long run, Cameron said. Member Doug McGreder agreed, stating, There's no sense in showing a floor plan until the audience understands there's a need.

The committee is also planning community outreach ahead of the vote, including presence at the Little League parade on May 2nd. Nate Stasco emphasized the importance of explaining how Cohasset has changed since 1962, asking, What was the population then versus now? Resident and committee member Paul Pratt reminded the board to remain sensitive to the town’s senior population. We have a population that's aging. They want to stay in their homes but they are worried about being priced out, Pratt said. We have to tell the story of the benefits police and fire bring that make it worthwhile.