Cohasset Public Safety Building Cost Soars to $27 Million
Town to seek additional $17 million at November special meeting for police station and fire substation; officials cite rising construction cost
COHASSET - July 22 - The cost of Cohasset's public safety building project has increased to $27 million, requiring town officials to seek an additional $17 million at a special town meeting scheduled for Nov. 3. The project, initially approved for $10.4 million, faces significant cost escalation due to construction market volatility and expanded scope requirements.
Michelle Leary, Assistant Town Manager, presented updated estimates to the Select Board showing construction costs at $19.5 million, plus an additional $3 million for furniture, fixtures and equipment. The town has spent approximately $5 million of the original allocation, including the purchase of the 135 King St. building, leaving $5.4 million remaining from the initial funding.
"The construction estimates came in at $19.5 million. I can tell you the first estimates were as high as $28 million," Leary said. "So this is a significant cost savings based on the first estimate."
The project includes construction of a primary police station and fire substation at 135 King St. Police Chief William Quigley emphasized the urgent need for the facility, citing state compliance issues with the current 63-year-old station.
"We are not in compliance with state regulations. We've been cited by the state consistently for the last five years on the conditions of the cell block," Quigley said. "We've looked at remodeling it, updating it. It's not possible with the envelope that we have."
The current police station was built for nine male officers but now houses 21 officers, including two female sworn officers and several civilian female staff members who lack adequate facilities. Response time studies show the fire substation would reduce emergency response times to northwest Cohasset from more than seven minutes to approximately six minutes.
Town officials plan to issue official bids on July 30 at 2 p.m., with final bids due the week of Sept. 8. The project team has toured facilities in Norwell, Marshfield and Hingham to optimize design and reduce costs.
Comparisons with neighboring communities show Cohasset's cost per square foot at $915, compared to Hingham's $1,050 per square foot for a 2025 project and Pembroke's $1,200 per square foot for a 2026 project. Norwell's 2013 project cost $425 per square foot.
Select Board Chair Ellen Maher expressed support for the project while acknowledging communication challenges ahead. "We need this project more than words could ever describe," Maher said. "Our challenge is how we thoughtfully, methodically outline where we were when we first came to town meeting at $10.4 million and where we are now and why."
The project represents phase one of a two-phase plan, with phase two involving renovation of the Elm Street fire station. Officials emphasized both phases are necessary for comprehensive public safety improvements.
In a separate matter, the Select Board and Planning Board reached an unprecedented 5-5 tie vote when appointing an associate member to the Planning Board. The deadlock occurred between candidates Nino DiNunno, a local builder, and David McNally, an attorney.
The Select Board voted 3-2 for DiNunno, while the Planning Board voted 3-2 for McNally. Board members cited different reasons for their preferences, with some favoring DiNunno's construction experience and local business presence, while others preferred McNally's legal expertise.
"I think he has deeper roots in town by having his business here for more than 17 years," said Select Board member David Farrag, supporting DiNuno. "And he knows some of the ins and the outs of the planning board by going in front of it."
Planning Board member Amy Glasmeier supported McNally, stating, "I think that we really benefited when I joined the board because we had a lawyer and we had to deal with a lot of issues that a lawyer can be supportive of."
The tie vote prompted confusion about proper procedures, as board members acknowledged never encountering such a situation. Town officials will seek guidance from town counsel to determine the appropriate resolution method.
DiNunno, who has completed approximately 180 to 200 projects in Cohasset over his career, ran unsuccessfully for Planning Board in the recent election. He cited concerns about recent bylaw changes affecting common driveways as motivation for seeking the position.
McNally, who has lived in Cohasset for three and a half years, expressed interest in contributing to town government and addressing challenges like MBTA communities compliance requirements.
The associate member position is non-voting unless needed to establish a quorum when regular members are absent or conflicted. Both candidates expressed willingness to serve on other town committees if not selected for the Planning Board position.
Other major items from the meeting included:
• Approval of multiple board appointments and reappointments, including positions on the Affordable Housing Trust, Historical Commission, and various other committees
• Historical Commission presentation on completed Captain's Walk signage project featuring 10 interpretive signs along the harbor walkway
• Event permit approvals for Red Lion Inn New Year's Eve celebration, Cape Cod Bay Challenge paddleboard event, and Cohasset Maritime Institute race
• Updates on 41 Highland Ave. renovation project, with fire suppression bids due Aug. 6 and window replacement planned before winter
• Announcement of two new staff hires: Laura Quinn as Assistant Public Affairs Director and Beth Mosley as Town Accountant starting Sept. 2
Id demand an Audit of all money spent and detailed costs of future funds for the project. Just easy to say inflation is the reason.