Police Chief Duane Lovello approached the Board of Selectmen on Monday with a list of facilities problems he said should be addressed at the department's headquarters and a request for $7,500 to analyze the situation. "It is not the first step in the process for a new building," Lovello said. "We planned to go through the building systematically and rehab it, but it's 74 years old. It's a very challenging building to work with." The building was erected in 1932 and its last renovation was done in 1987, when 3,000 square feet were added. The station, which now has 19,000 square feet, is not up to par, Lovello said.

But with the 2006-07 town budget all but finished the Representative Town Meeting is set to finalize it on Monday some selectmen were skeptical about the chief's report. They did not act on his request for money to fund a study of the building. Lovello also estimated it would cost about $15,000 to rectify building problems that officers have already identified. "My only reaction to this is, I haven't taken the tour yet, but I know from being in there how much work needs to be done," Selectman Kevin Newman told Lovello.

"You've done a great job educating us about it, but the issue I have is why is this coming up now. This is coming up now after our budget and the ink isn't even dry yet. And you're bringing a $15,000 issue to us." In addition to the building's age, Lovello said the cost to maintain it is increasing every year. He also cited a shortage in storage space and the need for officers to share desks and mailboxes. The department's computer servers are kept in a closet. "It is like opening a can of worms," Selectman Susan Young said. "There is technology in the most bizarre places.

It might be good to have another pair of eyes looking at it. Some of the fixes they might recommend is just moving things around." Lovello's report also goes on to say the HVAC system in the building is not up to working order. It malfunctions, causing the temperature in building to continually fluctuate. According to the report, "noxious, offensive, or potentially health threatening pathogens are transmitted from the cellblock throughout the building." During the just-ended winter, the windows had to be opened to ventilate to facility. "For us to take even $15,000 and put it into the building, only to find out it wasn't worth it would be bad," Lovello said.

Selectman Linda Santarella suggested that a board member oversee the process, and she volunteered herself for the task. Santarella said she wants to be a part of the needs-assessment process because, she said, it is important for a selectman to be involved in the effort. The Police Department has 51 officers and additional civilian staff. Lovello said the department simply wants a chance to assess the building before starting any necessary repairs. "We're just looking for the next logical step," First Selectwoman Evonne Klein said. "We don't want to spend extra money. We just need the next logical step."