Crime & Safety

Process Not Over Yet as 'Work to Do' Before Police Station Vote

Town officials want to stress to residents that the voting process for the proposed police station is not over yet.

On Monday, the single ballot question regarding to the proposed Sudbury Police Department facility passed. But the process is far from over.

Sudbury Facilities Director Jim Kelly said that over the upcoming weeks, town officials will continue finalizing details of the presentation that will be given to Town Meeting members on May 5, when the final vote on the issue will take place.

“We still have a lot of work to do, and we still need the town’s approval,” said Kelly. “This was not a final vote. It was a big step in the right direction, because it’s more representative of what the town wants I believe. Both parts of the vote are important parts of the process in the system that provides checks and balances.”

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During Town Meeting, representatives will have the opportunity to review details of the plans, along with financial specifics.

Kelly said officials expect the total cost to be around $7.8 million, though that includes about $627,000 that has already been approved. So taxpayers will likely be asked to pay around $7.1 million if they support the project.

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What Kelly said will also be beneficial of the Town Meeting vote is that residents will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers on the spot from town officials.

Because the project requires money borrowing, in order to move forward it must receive a two-thirds majority vote at Town Meeting. Because of that, Kelly wants to stress to residents that while they did vote at the ballot this week, the process is not over yet.

“One of our goals all along was to be sure people understood the project, the design, the construction, the cost, and the project as a whole,” said Kelly. “Whether you vote yes or no depends on the information you have. We hope we gave them the info they have to make the right decision.”


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