What possible rationale is there for Hallowell City Council’s intention to renovate the old fire station as the city’s police station? The old building is not suitable and cannot be made suitable as a public safety resource. The station is wooden and no police station should occupy such a complex, flammable space any drunk or angry arrestee could easily damage or ignite.

Also, a larger than normal elevator would be required as arrestees will come in all manor of conditions and police should not be required to move them from floor to floor. And also, on Second Street the fire station will have grossly limited parking space. One can imagine the parking chaos if more firefighters than the truck driver try to get to the station in an emergency.

A referendum question on the Nov. 8 ballot asks voters if they support this renovation with its $4 million to $5 million price tag. I urge all residents to let council know this is an irredeemable plan.

A second question discusses purchasing land for construction of a new multi-bay public works building for $2 million to $3 million. Hallowell lost its opportunity to build a modern multi-purpose complex in 2017 when an unnamed person came forward with monies to build a new fire station. The city government claimed they had to meet the anonymous donor’s imposed strict time frame for building the new fire station at Stevens Commons.

The old fire station may be lovely if rebuilt, but it can never again be a functional public safety resource no matter how much taxpayer money is thrown at it. The city should rent it to a suitable tenant with conditions on its repair and uses by the tenant.

Patricia Connors

Hallowell