Cohasset Select Board Moves Forward with $26.7M Public Safety Project as Police Describe ‘Abysmal’ Conditions
COHASSET - March 19, 2026 - The Cohasset Select Board, in a joint session with several town committees, moved a step closer to a massive $26.7 million overhaul of the town’s public safety infrastructure. The proposal, centered on converting 135 King Street into a modern police headquarters and fire substation, was met with emotional testimony from local officers who described their current workspace at 62 Elm Street as “abysmal” and a deterrent to recruiting quality talent. While the Board voted to advance several warrant articles for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting, the debate over the scale, cost, and “definitive need” of the King Street project took center stage.
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The Full Story
The meeting opened with a rapid succession of votes on warrant articles for the 2026 Annual Town Meeting. The Select Board approved articles ranging from real estate exemptions to the rescission of unissued debt, setting the stage for the evening’s primary focus: the Public Safety Facility recommendation. [01:41]
Glenn Pratt, Emergency Management Director and Chair of the Public Safety Facilities Committee, introduced a refined proposal for the 135 King Street site—a property the town previously purchased for approximately $2.1 million. [07:31] The new plan aims to relocate the police department entirely and provide a “shell” for a future fire substation, allowing for the storage of backup apparatus like Engine 3. [29:33]
Project Manager Dan Pallotta of P3 Inc. and architects from HKT presented a detailed breakdown of the $26,765,000 project. [20:02] The 23,000-square-foot facility would include modern booking areas, evidence storage, and dedicated wellness and lactation rooms for officers—amenities entirely absent from the current 60-year-old headquarters. [16:38]
However, the proposal was not without friction. Committee member Will Ashton challenged the “definitive need” for a new building, citing Department of Public Health (DPH) reports that he argued showed only minor failures in the existing cell blocks. [49:54]
“I just would like to clarify... our squad room is our roll call room. It’s our interview room. It’s our lunchroom. My office... was created by walling off a 6-by-12 section... I literally cannot leave my office if someone’s being interviewed... I’ve actually had to climb out the window because I had to go somewhere.” [01:12:44] — Commander Gregory Lennon, Cohasset Police
This sentiment was echoed by Sergeant Patrick Reardon and Police Officer Chase Colasurdo, who warned that Cohasset is losing its “employee value proposition.” [01:11:43] They argued that in a competitive “buyer’s market” for law enforcement, talented recruits are choosing neighboring towns with modern facilities over Cohasset’s “subpar conditions.” [01:16:00]
Select Board member David Farrag delivered a forceful defense of the project, comparing the current skepticism to past opposition against the Senior Center and the library—institutions now considered “jewels” of the South Shore. [01:17:54] “There are some people who wouldn’t buy a parachute if they fell out of a plane because they would complain about the price on the way down,” Farrag remarked, urging residents to value safety over mere numbers. [01:16:19]
The financial reality of the project remains a primary concern for some. The total request at Town Meeting is expected to be a debt exclusion of approximately $20.7 million, after accounting for $6 million in previously authorized funds. [37:44] Interim Town Manager Michelle Leary and the Board also discussed a $150,000 request for schematic designs to eventually retrofit the 44 Elm Street fire station once the police vacate the shared space. [01:33:41]
Why It Matters
For the average Cohasset resident, this project represents a significant financial commitment. The estimated tax impact is roughly $520 per year for a home assessed at $1 million. [10:14] Beyond the checkbook, the project addresses critical operational failures: the current police station fails annual DPH inspections for its “antiquated” cell blocks, lacks ADA accessibility, and forces victims of crimes to be interviewed in high-traffic hallways. [52:09] Officials argue that failing to act now will only see construction costs continue to climb along a “parabolic curve.” [01:10:18]
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To approve Article 11 (MGL Chapter 91 Liability).
Vote: Unanimous (3-0) [[01:41]]
Motion: To approve Article 14 (Rescission of authorized but unissued debt).
Vote: Unanimous (3-0) [[02:27]]
Motion: To approve Article 19 (South Shore Regional Vocational Technical High School Agreement Amendment).
Vote: Unanimous (3-0) [[03:21]]
Motion: To approve Article 20 (Amendments to Cohasset Bylaws Chapter 244).
Vote: Unanimous (3-0) [[03:41]]
Public Comment
Police Department Perspective: Multiple officers testified that the current facility is “abysmal” [01:15:27], lacks basic privacy for victims [01:13:13], and hampers recruitment of “emotionally intelligent” candidates [01:14:27].
Dissenting Opinion: Will Ashton (Public Safety Facilities Committee) argued that the town has not adequately explored fixing existing facilities and questioned if a 23,000-square-foot building is overkill for the town’s needs. [50:13]
What’s Next
Advisory Committee Vote: Scheduled for Wednesday, March 25st. [01:32:02]
Capital Budget Committee Vote: Scheduled for Monday, March 23rd. [01:32:06]
Annual Town Meeting: Voters will make the final decision on the warrant articles on May 4th. [37:24]
Source Video: Town of Cohasset - Select Board March 19, 2026