March 29, 2024

Rehoboth Municipal Complex

Posted

This is in response to Carol Williams article dated January 30, 2017. Ms. Williams has discussed her concerns numerous times and I personally and publicly answered them each time. Apparently Ms. Williams does not understand the process which must be followed however, I will explain it again.

The Rehoboth Municipal Complex Committee along with Ted Rowse have been working on the conceptual design plan for close to three years. Input to the design has been received from the employees from all departments which the complex will directly serve. The first step in the process is to develop a conceptual plan of the proposed building. Elevations and proposed floor plans have been developed and presented to the residents for their review and support.

Two public workshops were held to explain the proposed project. Open house tours of the present Town Office, Central Fire Station and Police Station were also held. At the Public workshop, Carol Williams presented many of her questions outlined in the January 30, 2017 letter and they were answered in depth. All of Ms. Williams concerns, as well as other detail items, are addressed on final construction documents. The final design will follow State and Local Regulations. Also, the design of the building will comply with the requirements of the State Building Code. It is premature to spend money for final designs until funding is approved. If you research the past town debt exclusion votes, including the one for the Senior Center, they were approved based on conceptual design plans. 

On Monday, January 23, 2017 at the Rehoboth Special Town meeting Ms. Williams again asked her repetitive questions and I again answered them along with explaining the difference between conceptual design and final design plans. Ms. Williams made a motion to table the article to place it on the April Town Election for funding of the project. It was seconded and the motion was over-whelmingly defeated.

After several residents asked some questions and Mr. Schwall explained the need for the Municipal Complex a vote was cast to place it on the April Town Election and was strongly approved. The parcel of land which the proposed complex would be situated on is comprised of 10 acres and is owned by the Town of Rehoboth. It is the present location of the Public Safety Building.

In regards to the well and septic system, as stated, a new septic system will be required. During the final design process the need for a new well will be determined. There is ample room on the 10 acre parcel for placement of both if required. The concern that there isn’t enough room to the rear of the building for parking, for reference, the existing communication tower referenced in her letter is located 350 feet from the rear of the existing Police/Fire building.

I take offense to the accusation that the proposed plan has not been well thought out. This reflected not only on the Committee but dozens of Town Employees who have assisted in the conceptual design.

Robert Ashton, Municipal Complex Design Committee Chairman

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