Safety buildings to be discussed in Winthrop
Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 01/13/2008

WINTHROP -- The Town Council will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. Monday to consider up to eight options for the improving the headquarters of public safety agencies.

Among those options are renovations to the current police station, ambulance building and Fire Department. Winthrop contractor Peter Richards has proposed plans to renovate all three sites.

Police Chief Joseph Young has proposed to use the former EnvisioNet building in the business park, saying the metal-and-brick building would require few modifications.

The building, according to Young, also would be big enough to accommodate Monmouth police, as well, if they chose to move there.

John Dovinsky, head of Winthrop Ambulance, proposed to locate to the former medical center.

Fire Chief Dan Brooks indicated a priority is to obtain adequate parking for the 26 volunteer firefighters.

Another choice is to build a public safety complex off Metcalf Road at the top of the hill.

Other proposals were to move the police to vacant space above the Town Office, move the ambulance service to the fire station and build a new fire station near the town's transfer station.

Upgrading the agencies' headquarters so they meet modern codes has been a focus of the Town Council for the past couple of years.

Twice in 2007 voters rejected borrowing money to build public safety complexes on U.S. Route 202.

They carried pricetags of $4 million and $2.8 million plus interest.

The Town Council also is scheduled to elect a chairman and a vice chairman, rescheduled from last week.

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Aaron White of Winthrop, ME
Jan 13, 2008 3:07 AM
Things need to be done and they need to be done right, half of those suggestions absolutely down right scare me; thinking that rational human beings could have possible come up with them. The ambulance station goes into the fire station?? If the council does not act in a way that is appropriate for public safety employees (employees of the town) just to satisfy the few that speak out against any rational idea then they have failed in their obligation of duty. Fact: Money is going to be spent. Point: Are you going to spend it in a way that it becomes a good INVESTMENT and VALUE to the town? I can not believe that the town would not invest into a service such as the Ambulance Service that actually makes the town money. Do Not Take It For Granted, Or Make It Seem Like You Are. Make decisions, make them the right ones and make them now.report abuse
What-a-mess of Farmingdale, ME
Jan 13, 2008 10:20 AM
"proposed to use the former EnvisioNet building"

Ah, now someBODY is finally thinking. Winthrop has vacant buildings that can house services.

There weren't just a FEW that spoke out against spending MILLIONS on a fancy new complex, Mr. White. Your obviously have room in your budget for a significant raise in taxes. Most don't.
(and yes, I have a home in Winthrop)report abuse
Don Chase of Winthrop, ME
Jan 13, 2008 10:34 AM
Use the EnvisionNet Building,,, move the fire department out to the transfer station,,,,,why don't we just abloish the entiree public saftey system and we'll call Allied or Monmouth what ever,, to hell with any responsible response time!!!!! Or maybe we can just levitate the responce vehicles to the scene and everyone can meet them there,,,,,,,,,,report abuse
Donald Beattie of Winthrop, ME
Jan 13, 2008 11:03 AM
The trend is and will be to consolidate municipal services especially with respect to nearby towns; that has been going on for some years in a number of instances. I remember working with fire and law enforcement officers in the early 1970s in Essex County, MA to consolidate services. In some instances that was done even then. So it is not a new idea. I like the idea of single but sufficient space to locate considerable staff and equipment from adjoining townsw to provide safe services to those collaborating/combining -- and at the same time try to cut costs in terms of not duplicating staff and purchases. Don Beattie in Winthrop, ME.report abuse

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