An artist’s rendering of the main entrance to the proposed new Bethel Police Department. Contributed Photo
UPDATE: WEDNESDAY 10:29 A.M.
The revised proposal on the new Bethel police station is $400,000 cheaper than the plan voters rejected in the December referendum, Police Chief Jeffrey Finch said.
“Even though it was defeated in the last vote, there is still a belief that the building is necessary,” he said. “We’re hoping to put it out for a referendum in the near future.”
The Police Commission announced Tuesday that it will host a special meeting to discuss details on the new $13.7 million proposal Thursday night.
Finch said the footprint and location of the proposed facility remain the same. The $14.1 million plan called for a 25,000-square-foot facility — nearly three times the size of the current building — to be built on part of an 8-acre parcel adjacent to Bethel High School at Judd Avenue and Whittlesy Drive.
The chief said the cuts are “meaningful” and that the final price tag would likely be even lower.
“This is not the final price,” he said. “This is just an estimate. When they put out bids, it could be less… We’re trying to be prepared for what we think it could cost at its maximum expense.”
ORIGINAL POST: WEDNESDAY 9:33 A.M.
BETHEL – The Bethel Police Commission will be hosting a public information session this week regarding the proposed police station.
The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at town hall.
The agenda, which was posted Tuesday, has only one item: “Discussion concerning the potential construction of a new police station.”
However, Town Clerk Lisa Bergh said public comments will be allowed.
Town officials have been considering alternatives to the plan since residents rejected a $14.1 million proposal in December.