Cohasset Faces $18.4 Million Ask for Public Safety Building After Project Costs Nearly Triple
COHASSET - September 23 - The Cohasset Select Board heard a detailed presentation on the proposed public safety building at 135 King Street, which will require an additional $18,373,511 from voters beyond the $10.4 million already appropriated, bringing the total project cost to nearly $29 million—almost three times the original budget approved by voters in 2023.
The Full Story
The substantial cost increase reflects the complexity of renovating and expanding the existing building to meet modern public safety standards. Select Board chair Ellen Maher acknowledged that the board was “all a little gobsmacked” when first presented with the updated costs in August, but emphasized that the requirements are needs-based rather than wants-based.
The project combines a police station and fire substation at the former bank building on King Street. Low bidder M. O’Connor submitted a bid of $18,987,000, closely matching the project team’s estimate of $19,780,000. Additional costs include $1,464,800 for construction administration and project management, $2,850,000 for radio infrastructure and security equipment, and $750,000 for a required traffic light at the Route 3A intersection.
HKT Architects principal Amy Dunlap explained that the project followed standard design processes, including structural upgrades to meet Level 4 facility requirements for public safety buildings. The existing building required extensive modifications to withstand seismic events and other catastrophes that could disable first responder capabilities. The project scope was reduced by 22% during design, shrinking from an initial 30,335 square feet to the final 23,600 square feet.
Police Chief William Quigley detailed the urgent compliance issues at the current Elm Street facility. The police department has received four state citations for detention cell violations and expects a fifth in October, which would move the town from “negligent” to “gross negligent” liability status. The cells lack adequate size, drinking water, panic buttons, and proper security features. They still contain porcelain fixtures that could be weaponized and bars that have been retrofitted with aging plexiglass.
“If someone takes the handcuffs, hits a porcelain sink, you’ll have a very sharp object,” Quigley explained, noting that detainees held over long weekends could spend four days attempting to disassemble inadequate cell components.
The department currently operates from two locations due to space constraints, with detectives, school resource officers, and prosecution staff relocated to King Street. “We’re bursting at the seams,” Quigley said, emphasizing that the bifurcated operation has created communication challenges after two years of separation.
Fire Chief John Dockray outlined deficiencies at the current fire station, including lack of decontamination facilities for gear exposed to hazardous materials during calls. Equipment is currently cleaned in the engine bay, potentially exposing personnel to airborne contaminants. Paramedic supplies are stored in a retrofitted basement closet, making inventory management difficult.
The project drew public criticism from Doane Street resident Will Ashton, who argued the building is “overscoped and overly burdensome” to the town’s borrowing capacity. Ashton questioned the need for public meeting space, gym facilities, and duplicate systems, suggesting the project has grown beyond the original approval scope.
Working group member Dan Tarpey, a citizen representative, defended the project’s necessity. “The current facility was built in 62 for short money. It was revamped, renovated if you will, for not much more than that a few years later. And I had the opportunity to tour that facility, and it’s a disgrace,” Tarpey said. He emphasized the critical need for emergency services to operate from Route 3A, particularly given train delays that can add 2-3 minutes to response times when crossing tracks from Elm Street.
Select Board member Chris Plecs raised concerns about potential lawsuit liability if the town continues operating noncompliant detention facilities. “If you don’t like the price of the police station, you’re sure as hell not going to like the price of the lawsuit that we’re going to be up for,” Plecs stated, noting that insurance carriers typically deny coverage for claims involving gross negligence.
The architects confirmed that state review of the detention cell design has proceeded successfully, with only paint color selection remaining for final approval. The project team also mentioned that Scituate recently commissioned a $200,000 redesign study to address insufficient female officer facilities just seven years after their public safety building opened.
Chair Maher announced that the town will conduct a peer review of the project by an independent architect and hold two public forums before any town meeting vote. One forum will be held at the Sunrise senior facility to accommodate residents with mobility issues, while another larger public forum is planned for early October.
The board also approved a historical society “touch-a-truck” event for October 5th and reviewed warrant articles for an upcoming special town meeting. Town Administrator Chris Senior announced the hiring of Monica Cassidy as the new Director of Elder Affairs, bringing experience from the Bedford Senior Center to begin work in mid-October.
Why It Matters
The public safety building project represents one of Cohasset’s largest capital investments in recent history. The cost increase to nearly $29 million will require voter approval and could significantly impact property taxes. Meanwhile, continued operation of noncompliant detention facilities exposes the town to potential lawsuits and regulatory penalties, while emergency response times from the current Elm Street location face delays from train crossings that could affect public safety outcomes.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Approve historical society touch-a-truck event October 5, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 4:39)
Motion: Approve entertainment license for historical society touch-a-truck event October 5, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 10:27)
Motion: Approve meeting minutes September 3rd and September 16th. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 3-0-1 (Plecs abstaining). (Timestamp: 1:50:24)
Motion: Approve meeting minutes September 9th. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:50:35)
Motion: Adjourn meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:50:46)
Public Comment
Will Ashton of Doane Street criticized the proposed public safety building as overscoped and exceeding the approved project parameters. He argued the project includes unnecessary features like public meeting space and duplicate systems that drive up costs beyond the town’s borrowing capacity.
What’s Next
The select board will schedule warrant article votes for the special town meeting, likely including the public safety building funding request. Two public forums will be held in early October, along with a peer review of the project by an independent architect. The board will meet October 7th if needed for final warrant preparations. A joint meeting with the school committee is scheduled for next week to fill a vacant school committee seat.