On behalf of the Newton Safety Complex Committee I am very pleased to provide this update on the progress that has been made regarding the new Safety Complex. The Committee has been meeting on a regular basis over the past months. At a recent meeting, the results of the telephone survey were reviewed with Dr. Andy Smith from the UNH Survey Center. The input we received was extremely helpful to the Committee. Our continued goal is to listen to the citizens of Newton regarding this important project, as your input is very important to us. The
Committee would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took the time to participate in our telephone survey.
As we discussed the survey, your input identified and confirmed two major topics. First, the citizens of the Town of Newton have a very high regard for the Police, Fire and Emergency Management Departments of this town. This was very gratifying to see.
Second the building of a new Safety Complex and the potential impact on the Town’s tax rate is a very high priority to all of the citizens living in Newton. It confirmed in our minds the need to develop a comprehensive and cost effective building project. This remains a priority of the Safety Committee as we move forward.
Beyond the survey results, the Committee has also worked to identify an adequate and appropriate parcel of land for the building of this facility. This has been a unique task as much of the land currently owned by the Town of Newton is conservation land or not large enough to build this facility. This includes the properties where the Police and Fire stations are presently located. Many parcels were reviewed and identifying a track of land geographically near the center of town has been accomplished. This property is on Merrimac Road. a short distance in from Rt. 108.
The Safety Complex Committee has submitted a warrant article that has been reviewed and is supported by the Board of Selectmen for the upcoming town ballot in March. This article would allow the Board of Selectmen the opportunity to negotiate with the landowner for the needed land. The land acquisition agreement will then be presented to the voters for approval in 2007. The funds requested in this article are required to cover anticipated attorney fees associated with the negotiations.
The identification of land is the first major step in our project. The Safety Complex Committee respectfully requests your support for this warrant article in March. We are making good progress in the development of the new Safety Complex. Thank you for your continued support. As always any questions or concerns can be addressed to Bob Bartlett the Chairman of the Safety Complex Committee.
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