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Issue · New London, NH

DPW Public Works Facility Project

Major $8-9 million capital project for DPW expansion with decisions on site integration of police station affecting taxpayers and future land use.

Overview

The DPW Public Works Facility Project is an estimated $8-9 million effort to replace aging offices and vehicle bays while evaluating possible police-station integration on the same site. Two Select Board meetings in 2026 advanced the discussion from a brief status update to a detailed options review that established DPW priorities as the governing factor.

Background

The DPW Public Works Facility Project first surfaced in public discussion during the May 7, 2026 Select Board meeting as part of an administrator report on design and engineering progress, including possible police station co-location.

That update set the stage for the June 30, 2026 meeting, where architects Steven Roy and Kevin Aken delivered a full presentation of six site options, identified the current facility's failing siding and contamination-risk salt shed, and recommended Option 6 as the preferred alternative for operational efficiency.

The architects also tested two police-station layouts on the northeast portion of the site, noting setbacks and easements that could make a full program feel shoehorned.

Board members and DPW staff responded by reaffirming that DPW needs must take priority and that the site should retain flexibility for future public-works expansion rather than accommodate additional uses.

Resident questions at both meetings focused on cost differentials, construction phasing, roof choices, and whether expanded capacity was justified, prompting the architects to prepare a detailed cost estimate expected within one to two weeks of the June 30 meeting.

The project remains an estimated $8-9 million capital item whose scope and site configuration continue to be refined.

How it unfolded
Board received an update on design and engineering progress for the DPW site, including potential locations for a police station.
2026-05-07Select Board
Architects presented six site options, identified the preferred alternative (Option 6), discussed police-station test fits, and agreed DPW priorities should govern site decisions; a detailed cost estimate was requested.
2026-06-30Select Board
Arguments in favor
Current facility has deteriorating fiber cement siding and an inefficient salt shed that risks contaminating local water sources.
select-board 2026-06-30
For
Option 6 maximizes vehicle storage, operational efficiency, and site utilization while allowing future DPW expansion.
select-board 2026-06-30
For
Site provides flexibility for municipal needs without over-developing the upper lot.
select-board 2026-06-30
For
Arguments against
Fitting a full police program on the site might feel shoehorned due to setbacks and power line easements.
select-board 2026-06-30
Against
Question whether extra capacity is truly necessary versus a simple replacement.
select-board 2026-06-30
Against
Significant capital expenditure of $8-9 million requires detailed cost breakdown before proceeding.
select-board 2026-06-30
Against
Key voices
“Preferred option maximizes vehicle storage and operational efficiency while cautioning against overbuilding the lot.”
Architects Steven Roy and Kevin Akenselect-board 2026-06-30
“Asked which options were simple replacement versus expansion and whether extra capacity was truly necessary.”
Residentselect-board 2026-06-30
“Requested breakdown of the $9 million estimate, including specific cost for the salt shed.”
Residentselect-board 2026-06-30
What's next

A detailed cost estimate is expected within one to two weeks of the June 30 meeting.

dpwpublic worksfacilitypolice station