Plans for new police station, DPW facility advance

City leaders are moving forward with plans to build a stand-alone police station to replace the existing facility that the Police Department and Fire Department now share.

The move comes after members of a committee studying the issue on Monday night voted to support the construction of a new police station. The new station would be built on land behind the current station on Lexington Street. 

This decision follows recommendations from both police and fire officials, who cited operational and privacy concerns with having a shared building. 

Ward 6 Councilor Sean T. Durkee, who attended initial discussions on the need for new police and fire facilities, said he supports a stand-alone police station facility due to the sensitive nature of police work. He noted the police chief’s concern of not having adequate spaces to have confidential conversations.

Others made similar statements.

“It’s an issue that we’ve been dealing with for decades now, and I respect the wishes of the police chief, [that] a stand-alone building would make sense,” said Ward 1 Councilor Anthony LaFauci.

LaFauci emphasized that the site behind the current building would allow better security, more community parking and potential for green space in the front.

Plans for new Department of Public Works facility

Also Monday night, the committee members authorized further planning for a new Department of Public Works facility at the city-owned Fernald site. 

They authorized Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy to work with architects to develop relocation options for the DPW, which is currently in a Lexington Street facility. 

The proposed site of the new location includes 15 acres previously designated for municipal use.