WOODSTOCK — Maine State Police has requested space for an office in the former state highway garage on Route 232, and selectmen said this week it would be welcome.
The discussion Tuesday night came amid plans to renovate the 40- by 80-foot building at 366 Route 232. It will be used as a base for PACE Ambulance and Rescue Services, and for storage of additional town vehicles, Town Manager Vern Maxfield said.
“The Maine State Police came to us and asked if they could have a space in the building as a headquarters for our area,” he said.
Selectman Stephen Bies asked if it would cramp PACE or the town.
Chairman Ron Deegan said that it wouldn’t.
“PACE said that they’re all for it, and I am, too,” Deegan said. “It’s nice to know that we’ll have a blue car in the area. It’s also added security for that building.”
“Is it common practice to lend space gratis to troopers?” Bies asked.
“I can check, but it does seem worth it to have them there,” Maxfield said. “They’re only asking for a desk.”
Bies and fellow board members were overwhelmingly in favor of granting the request.
Selectmen went through a preliminary checklist of what renovations need to be made to the former Maine Department of Transportation garage, which hasn’t been used since another was built on Main Street in Dixfield 10 years ago.
Deegan said a block wall, or firewall, needs to be installed.
At a previous meeting, Maxfield said the firewall would be installed on the left side of the garage, between the office space and the rest of the building.
Deegan also said a fire protection system, carbon monoxide detectors and heat sensors should be installed.
“I also heard word that PACE wanted to see about putting up a chain-link fence in the main bay to separate PACE equipment from our stuff,” he said. “I was against that. If we can’t put our trust in our neighbors, what’s the point? I don’t think we need it. We have just as much value in there as they do.”
Voters at the March 28 annual town meeting approved buying the garage for $65,000, with the state’s condition that it be used for transportation purposes. It has been on the market for $150,000.
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