Update: The Debt Exclusion PASSED on November 7th! Stay tuned for future updates on how this moves forward.
Debt Exclusion for Public Safety Buildings
My goal is that voters are well informed about a decision we need to make in November.
I think that we should vote yes on this question.
Why now?
Our 3 fire stations and 1 police station are in poor condition. They have structural issues, roof leaks, and do not meet current safety codes. The problems will worsen over time, and lead to additional work needed.
These videos clearly show the level of issue we are facing.
What process has already happened?
2017 Feasibility Study & Assessment
2021-2023 Public Safety Buildings Committee, consisting of residents, city personnel, representatives of the Melrose Police Patrol Officers Association and Melrose Firefighters IAFF Local 1617, as well as the chiefs of Police and Fire.
40+ full committee meetings, 20+ subcommittee meetings, 12+ Preliminary design meetings, 2 public learning sessions, 3 City Council updates, and 2 open houses
What will the proposed project cost?
The project’s proposed cost is $130MM (plus interest over time). The team that worked on this built in contingencies and feels confident that this is a conservative estimate of what is needed.
The cost to homeowners ramps up from 2027-2030 and then stays at that level until 2055, and declines until the debt exclusion ends in 2059.
Determine your home’s assessed value: https://melrose.patriotproperties.com/default.asp
Divide by 1000, and multiply by 1.19. This is your estimated yearly extra tax by 2030, unless you qualify for an exemption.
What will happen if we say yes?
If over 50% of voters say yes, the city would begin the process to renovate the main fire station, rebuild the other two fire stations, and move and rebuild the police station.
A qualified architectural firm would be hired by the City to provide specific designs and an accurate and complete cost estimate for the entire project.
Once the project costing was complete, the City Council would then need to vote with a two-thirds majority (8 of 11 councilors) to approve a bond authorization in order to borrow the funds to pay for the project.
Where can I get more information?
The City of Melrose has published an FAQ https://www.cityofmelrose.org/mayor/FAQ/MPSB
The Group Melrose Responds for Public Safety has organized around this question
They have a Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/melroseresponds/
They have a website: https://www.melroseresponds.org/
What should I do now?
Ask any questions that you have
Make sure you are registered to vote by the deadline of October 27th at 5pm. https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx
Vote on or before November 7th, 2023!
Encourage your friends and family to vote, too.