Ridgefield Public Safety Committee Begins New Review Of Police, Fire Facility Options

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Ridgefield's reconstituted Public Safety Facilities Committee began work Sept. 22 on a new round of analysis that will take a closer look at three approaches for police and fire facilities, including a combined facility near Danbury Road, renovation and expansion of the existing police headquarters and separate facilities involving the town's former Schlumberger property.

The special meeting was primarily organizational and no votes were taken. Public Works and Facilities Director Jake Muller said some committee members still needed to be sworn in before the panel could elect officers and begin taking formal action.

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The committee instead reviewed a draft charge prepared by the Board of Selectpersons. Muller said selectpersons are scheduled to consider final approval of the charge Oct. 7, but told members they could begin working in the meantime because the basic options are not expected to change.

Three Options Headed For Closer Study

Under the draft charge described during the meeting, the committee would take its former preferred alternative — previously called "Option D" — into schematic design, feasibility analysis and more detailed cost estimating.

That approach centers on the Danbury Road area and would examine a combined public safety building as well as configurations involving individual facilities. Committee member Pamela Dunaway described it as "D plus," because the new analysis goes beyond the combined-building concept considered during the committee's earlier work.

A second option calls for studying renovation and expansion of the existing Ridgefield Police Department headquarters at 76 East Ridge Road, including whether the site can accommodate the additional parking required by an expanded facility.

Members said the analysis would determine what portions of the existing building could be retained and how much of the department's identified space requirements could realistically be accommodated. The committee also discussed whether additional neighboring property might be necessary, although the draft charge directs members not to include land-acquisition costs in their project estimates.

A third approach would examine separate new police and fire facilities using the Danbury Road area and the former Schlumberger property, including the old quarry area. Members said several possible combinations could emerge as architects determine how the individual buildings fit and function at each site.

The committee also discussed the existing fire facility on Catoonah Street. Members questioned how extensively renovation there should be studied, noting limitations they had identified during their previous work. Muller said language concerning that site could be revised in the draft charge.

No option was selected Sept. 22.

Architects Could Need About Eight Weeks

Muller said the town is working with architectural firm Kaestle Boos Associates and cost estimator Nasco Construction Services on proposals for the next phase. About $135,000 remains from funding allocated to the committee's earlier work and can be used to develop the additional plans and estimates.

Committee members expressed concern about completing the work quickly enough to keep the project moving.

Muller said KBA had been asked whether the requested work could be completed within six to eight weeks. He said the full package would probably take closer to eight weeks and that the firm expects to have several groups working on the alternatives simultaneously.

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The committee expects the next phase to include schematic and conceptual plans, site circulation and grading work, geotechnical information, potential wetlands and permitting issues and updated project estimates. Existing information developed during the committee's previous review can be reused where applicable rather than recreated.

Muller said KBA's plans would also be reviewed with the police and fire departments as they develop so the departments can evaluate whether proposed layouts meet their operational requirements.

Earlier Committee Work Will Carry Forward

Committee member Adam Safir asked whether the committee should treat the assignment as a fresh start or give weight to the analysis and vote completed during its earlier round of work.

Muller said the information developed previously should serve as "big building blocks" for the new phase rather than being discarded. The next step is intended to add conceptual designs, site evaluations and renderings and resolve questions left unanswered in the previous analysis.

Dunaway noted that the earlier preferred option still had unresolved issues and had not received final signoff from the police and fire chiefs. She characterized the new work as examining those remaining questions more closely.

Members also discussed developing a consistent set of criteria for comparing the alternatives. Although such a comparison is not expressly mandated in the draft charge, Muller said it could emerge as the committee works through the options.

Committee member David Brickley said the alternatives involving the existing police station and separate sites could serve as a "Plan B" to the combined-building concept. Dunaway said the committee would need to explain the trade-offs associated with whatever alternatives it ultimately recommends.

Public Meeting Planned Before Recommendation

The draft charge calls for at least one public meeting or design charrette during the committee's work.

Muller said the session would give residents an opportunity to respond once conceptual plans have advanced far enough to show how the buildings and sites could function. Committee members said that meeting would likely come later in the process, after preliminary layouts are available.

Safir asked whether the committee's public-communication role would otherwise be limited primarily to its open meetings. Muller said that was his understanding of the current phase. A later phase could involve additional public education after the Board of Selectpersons decides what proposal or proposals to advance.

The draft assignment focuses on estimating construction costs rather than determining how a project would be financed or what it would mean for individual tax bills. Muller said financing would be addressed later after the alternatives and their costs are developed.

Committee Looks To Meet Again Sept. 30

Members discussed holding their first formal meeting Sept. 30, after everyone has been sworn in. They also want KBA involved early so the committee and architects can establish the work plan and schedule together.

Muller said communication with KBA would initially continue through him. Once the committee elects officers and establishes its working structure, one committee member could become the principal contact with Muller remaining involved.