FARMINGTON — A solution to the space needs for the Police Department may have been found with an offer by Franklin Memorial Hospital to donate a medical practice property to the town for a police station.

Rebecca Ryder, FMH president and CEO, presented a plan to selectmen Tuesday that includes giving the town the Franklin Health Farmington Family Practice property at 116 Franklin Ave. for the Police Department. The gift needs to be accepted by voters at the March town meeting.

With plans to move the Franklin Health Farmington Family Practice to the ground floor of the Medical Arts Center on the hospital campus to better serve the needs of their patients, Ryder told the board the nearly one acre of land and approximately 6,000-square-foot building will be left vacant. The practice intends to move in March.

There are no future plans for the building. Considering the costs to heat and maintain the building for an extended period in an uncertain real estate market, the hospital board chose last month to offer the building to the town, she said.

“The town has supported FMH for many years in terms of public safety services, most recently with the fire in our Medical Arts Center. As a not-for-profit organization, Franklin Community Health Network is not required to pay property taxes; nonetheless, we have historically strived to make an annual donation to the town to acknowledge its public services,” Ryder said.

With an uncertain fiscal year expected for the hospital due to health care reform, increased charity care and declining reimbursement for health care services, a monetary donation may not be available to give but there is one asset that could be of use to meet the town’s need for a new police station, she said.

“We hope residents will accept the donation,” she said. “We’re thrilled to make this offer.”

A referendum to build a new police station was defeated in November 2009. While the department had support for finding a solution to their needed space issues, the $2.75 million cost apparently soured some voters to the idea of building a new station in light of a projected poor economic outlook.

“We think this is a win-win situation,” Joseph Bujold, FMH’s board chairman said in a written statement. “It is a practical  way for the hospital to make a nonmonetary contribution to recognize town services to the hospital. In turn, residents of Farmington can meet the facility needs of public safety services without a large financial investment.”

Police Chief Jack Peck graciously thanked all concerned and especially his staff who have worked for years in less than desirable conditions.

Chairman Stephan Bunker of the Board of Selectmen called it one of the real highlights that comes along while serving the town. He expressed gratitude for the gift and the role FMH plays within the community and hope that the late Chief Richard Caton’s dream of a new police station may soon become a reality.

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