Statement from Easton Officials Ahead of Oct. 23 Special Town Meeting

EASTON — Police Chief Keith Boone, Fire Chief Justin Alexander and Director of Public Works David Field wish to share a statement regarding the Public Safety/Public Works Facilities Replacement Project ahead of the Oct. 23 Special Town Meeting to be held at 7 p.m. at Oliver Ames High School. 

“After two years of planning and evaluation, and more than 40 public and community meetings, we await the decision by Easton’s voters on funding for the Public Safety/Public Works Facilities Replacement Project. 

“We are grateful to residents for their efforts to learn about the challenges at our current facilities and for the feedback they’ve shared. 

“We are also grateful for the support and endorsements the project has received from the Easton Select Board, Finance Committee, School Committee, Municipal Building Committee, Capital Planning Committee and Green Communities Committee, as well as the support of all five Police, Fire and Public Works labor unions. Their feedback and contributions have been crucial as the project has moved forward.

“The existing Public Works, Police and Fire (Lothrop Street) facilities are 50 to 70 years old; are too small to meet the needs of our departments and personnel; and do not meet modern accessibility, safety and environmental codes. Furthermore, the essential systems and infrastructure at these facilities are past their useful life and are failing, requiring significant annual funding for repairs and maintenance.

“A modern, safe and accessible facility will fulfill the needs of our personnel and community members today, as well as grow with us into the future.

“The proposed new facilities will improve the health, safety and capabilities of our personnel to keep Easton safe and strong. They will feature appropriate vehicle and equipment storage, will improve the lifespan of the departments’ fleet, and will be energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. A new community room will be versatile and serve as a modern space for training, meetings and community events. 

“We have worked diligently to plan for the future of our facilities and create a Public Safety/Public Works complex that is cost-effective and will provide a state-of-the-art working environment for our personnel, as well as enhance our ability to provide the best possible public safety services.”

A Special Town Meeting will be held on Monday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Oliver Ames High School Auditorium during which the Town will ask voters whether to approve the appropriation of funds for the purpose of the facilities replacement project, along with an article to approve a senior citizen tax relief package to offset project costs for qualified fixed income seniors. The Town Meeting will focus only on the building project and senior tax package. Click here for more on the Special Town Meeting and to view the Town Meeting Warrant and all related project documents.

Voters will then be asked whether to approve a Proposition 2 1/2 debt exclusion during a ballot vote – Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Oliver Ames High School – to pay for the approved borrowing. No-excuse vote by mail is available for the election. Vote by mail applications must be received no later than Oct. 30.

The project requires approval at both the Special Town Meeting and ballot vote in order to advance to design and construction. If either vote fails, the project will not proceed. All voter information, including registration status, can be found at easton.ma.us/vote.

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