How would you describe this Lakes Region police station?
 

I'll go with resort-like.

It's simply amazing compared to my home town police station in the town hall basement.

I have heard that the spa-like jail amenities are top notch. The masseuse has great reviews on YELP.

I’ll go with “well deserved”…

Dan

How about: irresponsible use of taxpayer funds?

Police Station
 

It's not so much what's outside that counts, it's what's inside that counts..

I certainly hope that none of you bashers ever require the services of LE.

How do you describe it?

The station I was in about 35 years ago looked quite different on the outside - and inside:D

I see three hots and a cot... in stylish digs.

Everything in Meredith is first rate thanks to the non-resident taxpayers. But try to get a public dock fixed or to do something about parking for islanders forget it.

Same thing in M'boro with non-residents paying.........spend, spend, spend.

The old brick one?

By comparison, here is Sandwich police station. This town has plenty of seasonal residents, including shorefront on Squam and other water bodies. And, yes, a big difference between Meredith and Sandwich in terms of population, businesses, etc. The point is that towns should be careful spending the people's money. A functional police station does not have to look like an Adirondack resort...

Tom C. You are right. Love it!

Given what real estate has done up here in the last few years, seems like a very good investment by the town of Meredith. Besides, if you live in Meredith you probably had a chance to speak your opinion. If you don't live in Meredith then what's the point of this entire post?

I would bet that the total property value of Meredith is driven by non-voting non-resident property owners. Yet the decisions are made by residents who contribute the least to the tax base. It's the same with all the lakefront towns. I remember one year Meredith had a meeting on how to spend all the money they had taken in. It's not at all like that in Merrimack where I live.

police station
 

I go with people love to bitch and moan on the forum.

Comparing Sandwich to Meredith is absolutely ridiculous—there's more deer in Sandwich than people, even in the "busy" season. In fact, while driving through the other day, I saw a police car in the station parking lot and was surprised they even had an officer—towns that small often have agreements with area towns or the sheriff.

That being said, I'd need to know more about the actual cost of the Meredith station rather than just what it looks like. Did they build at an opportune time? Does it house more than just the police department? What are their actual needs vs. what the station provides? What was its impact on taxes? Does it provide opportunities to make money, e.g. through regional trainings, presentations, etc.?

As a resident of a town with sh*tty public buildings, I'd be proud to have this in my community...and proud to support those who do what few are willing to.

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Ps
 

Well said Think

As a non-voter speaking my opinion is wasting my time and breath while they spend my money.

you were frothing at the mouth too much to get the point. 1) I acknowledged the difference in the municipalities. Meredith has 4x the population and less than half the land area. We aren't comparing Sandwich to LA here; 2) the point was about the fiduciary responsibility the government has to spend the people's money fairly and wisely...

I would tend to agree with camp guy. The inside is more important than the outside as it applies to safety of the officers inside the building. The outside does look a touch much but maybe it fits in with the setting of other buildings around it? Most of the time when towns undertake these projects the apply for financial assistance from the State. The State likely has conditions on development, sizing and safety requirements in order to get financial assistance. With that in mind if the state did grant money to the town and non residents of Meredith want to say it looks a bit much I would say they have the right to comment that way. Personally I think it’s the entry way that draws to that conclusion and that likely was a small cost in comparison to the project.

$2.3-mil in 2006, town money well planned
 

Constructed in 2006 thru 2007, at a construction cost of $2.3-million dollars ..... http://www.fosters.com/story/news/20...s/52531837007/ ..... it will be a welcome home to the Meredith Police Dept for many, many years ahead. Back in 2006 paying $2.3-million must have been a high price at the time, but now fifteen years later it was a very smart build for the Town of Meredith.

Believe it has a workout exercise room with exercise machines like a stationary bicycle, a weight lifting bench, a treadmill, and a cardio walker to help them stay on top of their game. Spending a police shift totally inside a police car can make for a long shift seated in a car so having a workout room is a good help to their health and energy .... :banana:

It's so hard to get kids to sign up to be a police officer today. Which town do you think would attract more recruits?
I have a second home in Meredith and I'm fine with the New Library, new Municiple facilities building, new police station, and new fire station. I'm happy to visually see where my taxes are being spent. This is why Meredith is one of the best towns in the Lakes region, IMHO!

Or maybe...
 

Meredith has a smaller population than Gilford, but has a much grander (and larger) police station. Either we're being cheap...er...frugal compared to Meredith, or they need a bigger police station because they have more crime...or the same amount of crime but the miscreants are bigger in size/stature, or the miscreants are 'upscale' so they need an upscale police station.

Actually Meredith is a Craftsman Style.
But we can modify the exterior of any building to meet any style in the modern age.

Sandwich using the Modified Cape Style would be relevant to the architectural style of a colonial farming area.

Awesome!

That said, I am sure Meredith ZBA has certain requirements for the exterior facade of new buildings in town. Public or private. This one looks very nice to me.

I am also certain (at least hopeful) that the town put some thought into future growth requirements before building out the facility. I am sure the nay people would have a field day if a new building was needed in the next couple of decades! (IE: something similar to the Sandwich. NH offices)

I am curious though... Why no backlash when MP built the new facility in Glendale?

I’ve stopped worrying about it. The only town where I can have input is the town I’m a resident of and it is building a new town building, new police station and 2 new fire stations. All the buildings being replaced were over 60 yrs old and, after seeing a presentation on their current conditions, it is about time.


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Good for you. I'm still trying.

In Merrimack, the non-resident taxpayers are Budweiser, Simon Properties, BAE, Fidelity, Elbit, etc. Tons of tax dollars, no vote, same as every other NH town, in different proportions. Discussing how to spend the money is done at public budget committee meetings and the Annual Town Meeting, Deliberative session. You don't have to be a resident to attend, or watch on TV.

Now, that's not a worthy comparison. Sandwich ONLY has residents (full or seasonal), and does not serve the surrounding communities with the commercial development that Merideth does, including many hundreds of overnight rooms. Get real.

Have you thought about changing your residency?

Winters are kind of tough on Bear Island so no.

$2.3 million, and I bet some people probably freaked out! So...in my hometown there are plans for a new fire station. They want $3.5 million ... ... but that is just for the DESIGN team to design it.

Building it will run more like $40 million. This after the $15 million library that leaked the first winter, and the new high school, and new elementary school...

How long till I can retire to the lake !?!

Got To Watch How Much We Spend
 

Indeed. Sandwich has a fraction of the population of either Meredith or Gilford and does not have the same amenities of either of those towns, so a small police station makes sense.

At one point Gilford looked into building a new police station, the cost being ~$4.3 million. (This was around 2006, if memory serves.) It was voted down, and rightfully so.

Instead, the town ended up renovating and adding to the existing police station, located on one end of town hall. The size roughly doubled and cost the town ~$1.5 million. The front of the police station didn't change all that much other than moving the entrance from the lobby of town hall to a separate entrance at the end of the building. So far it seems to be meeting the needs of the PD and the town.

The building is totally appropriate and functional. No reason government employees have to work in worn out facilities. However , none of these small towns , Merideth, Center Harbor, Moultonborough, Sandwich, should even have a police department. The county should be handling police,fire,school etc the efficiency of not having all these police and fire chiefs and school boards would save a fortune and make things much more professional.

Tuftonboro Fire/EMT has been to my house twice this summer. They are excellent. Whatever they need is good with me

Hmmmm. Thats bit scary I say…..

We do it in a way. We use mutual aid, and multi-municipality school systems.

County control
 

Billy Bob, post #35 advocates for county operated services, as is the case where he lives in Florida, where lots of stuff is run by the county, even roads and libraries. I think I like to know the services are local where I can support them at Town Meeting.

It certainly is representative of the community it is in.

Suggests a Welcoming...
 

Agreed...

If the town wants new recruits, this building--for a police station--invites...!

:look:

Based on the tone - I assume you do not approve.

I am not sure what you want the gazillions of property tax dollars to fund. I think the towns around Meredith/Center Harbor/Moultonboro have done a great job of providing public services.

Maybe MP can put an addition on their building and they will be able to get more officers?

Moultonborough has a nearly a 2 million police budget.
Hardly seems enough with the rampant crime in town

Merrimack love it class of 86 here

The "gazillions of property tax dollars " is the issue, not the 'quality' of the spending. Here's a concept: show some fiscal restraint and dial back on the property tax burden owners must pay. Not sure how that idea gets lost...

So you are upset with the size or the finishes?

Since it was built back in 2006 it looks like a bargain today.

Remove all the Stop signs. That will free up the PD to enforce the rules on the town dock which seems to be the focus of much animosity. So far, the stories of fisticuffs on the dock have been kept quiet, but those stories will eventually come out, probably around April 1, 2025.