Police Station by 27 Votes

Selectmen breathed a huge sigh of relief at Town Hall Tuesday night when they finally learned that the proposed $3.35 million bond to help build a police station succeeded.

Twenty-seven votes was the margin, 885-858, according to the unofficial results.

The drama played out until the very end.

Results from precincts were taped to a glass case in the hallway, one precinct at a time, as they arrived.

The results were tabulated and announced at the town's voting precincts. Police officers then toted bins with the voting results to Town Hall.

"Huge relief," said Selectman Matt Strauss, after hearing the results from the last precinct..

"Very relieved," said the chairwoman of the Board of Selectmen, Jill Sullivan.

Selectman David Van Dam, as well as Strauss and Sullivan, said they are excited that the town can finally move forward with a crucial piece of infrastructure.

"The town needed a station for the safety of citizens as well as police officers," Van Dam said.

Now, what's needed is for Town Meeting representatives to approve the funding plan for the station.

Strauss said he is confident that they will approve the funding..

Here is a breakdown of the $6.4 million funding mechanism to replace the 73-year-old station at 86 Burrill Street:

• A $3.35 million debt exclusion. It would cost the owner of a home valued at $524,000, the average home valuation in town, $65 annually over 20 years.
• $450,000 for project plans was already approved at a previous town meeting vote.
• $600,000 in free money, or reserve dollars.
• $185,000 from the previous sale of the Phillips Beach Fire Station.
• The balance would come from a line item in the operating budget to pay off long-term borrowing.

The two-story, 13,700-square-foot station would be built on town-owned land at 531 Humphrey Street by the town pumping station.

Swampscott police Det. Tim Cassidy says thank you to the town's voters for approving the police station vote.