The Farmington Police Department is in desperate need of space. Our current working environment lacks privacy for complainants and/or victims, who must advise the dispatcher of their problem in an open, public area within the Town Office.

There is no privacy to conduct business in the police department, as sounds can be heard through the walls and doors.

There are no interview rooms for suspects or victims; no break rooms; no locker rooms or showers for the officers; no garage space for police use; no storage space for supplies or files; no evidence processing area with proper ventilation for hazardous fumes (this is currently done where we work and eat).

Office space is inadequate for officers and employees to work. There is no adequate area to take fingerprints, and there is no storage space for officers’ gear or department equipment.

A committee appointed by the selectmen has recommended building a new facility. Bunker and Savage Architects has presented a plan for an attractive, adequately-sized, energy-efficient, and cost-effective building with room for future expansion.

The estimated construction cost for the building is $2.75 million. Annual operating costs are estimated at $50,000. Together, those expenses would add about $94 to the tax bill for a property assessed at $150,000.

That seems a fair price to provide decent, adequate working space for the town’s police department.

I hope the voters of Farmington keep those facts in mind as they vote on Nov. 3.

Richard E. Caton III, Strong

Farmington police chief