Dunn says selectmen will hold input sessions to generate support for expanding police facilities

By Scott Benjamin

BROOKFIELD – First Selectman Steve Dunn says he anticipates the ad-hoc Police Building Committee will recommend that a new headquarters be built on the corner parcel of the municipal campus along Silvermine Road.

Former Police Chief Jay Purcell, the chairman of the ad-hoc committee, said at a May 16 public input session that he preferred that option.

Purcell remarked, “My preference is to build new because you get exactly what you want. You don’t have to compromise. Any time you add on you’re going to end up making compromises. The existing structure just doesn’t yield to exactly what you want.”

“The one-story design we’re looking at now would be best on that Silvermine border,” he added.

Selectman Karl Hinger said recently, “I’ve always been leaning toward building new.”

The current headquarters was built about 40 years ago. Dunn commented that it no longer conforms to federal standards.

The town purchased the corner parcel at the municipal campus parcel in 2020 so that it could expand town facilities. The municipal campus was purchased in 1981 and the town hall opened in 1983.

Purcell is expected to present the seven-member committee’s recommendation to the Board of Selectmen at its July 6 meeting.

In an interview with Patch.com, Dunn said the board will judge the pros and cons of building a new facility or adding to the present headquarters at 63 Pocono Road, adjacent to the corner parcel.

Dunn again said he opposes building a new headquarters at the former Center Elementary School (CES) site at 8 Obtuse Hill Road/Route 133, since it has traffic congestion from five nearby intersections and is in a residential neighborhood.

He said trying to expanding the current police headquarters would potentially pose obstacles since “you have to work within the constraints of the existing building.”

Dunn said he agreed with Purcell that if a new headquarters is built on the corner parcel at the municipal campus, the existing headquarters would be ideal for the emergency management services ambulance corps, which is currently located next to the former CES site. Dunn said he has seen ambulances delayed because of the traffic congestion near the traffic lights at their current location.

Hinger said it is important to “have a plan” if the existing headquarters is vacated.

Dunn said the existing police headquarters also could be utilized as an emergency management center.

He said that he has instructed the ad-hoc committee to not exceed $25 million for the new police facilities.

Purcell said in May that Wilton recently built an 18,500 square foot headquarters on municipal property for $18.7 million. He has said that designers have recommended a $25,000-square-foot facility in Brookfield with more parking than at the current headquarters.

Months ago Dunn said he hoped to get the committee’s recommendation on the November 3 ballot so thatthere would be greater voter turnout.

Now he says the selectmen will spend the coming months holding discussion sessions on the proposal, similar to the format that was used to approve the $78.1 million construction of Candlewood Lake Elementary School in 2019.

“A lot of people don’t know what does on inside a police station,” Dunn explained.

The first selectman said he expects the Police Building Committee’s recommendation to go to referendum in 2027.

Dunn also said an initial architect’s report indicates that the cost of the potential community center to be built at the former CES site would be at least $45 million, well above the anticipated price tag.

Said Dunn, “That is out of our range.”

A separate ad-hoc committee, chaired by civic volunteer Bob Zinser, has been reviewing the former CES site and considering plans to build a library and recreation facilities there. A formal structural review is expected to be presented to the selectmen this fall.