LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Select Board has established a new committee to try to solve its public safety building needs.

The nine-member panel replaces the former Police Station Building Committee that resigned after a nearly $6 million proposal for a combined police and ambulance facility was shot down by voters at a special town meeting in March.

"I want to say thank you to the committee that had been there," Select Board Timothy Sorrell said.

"I thought they did a fantastic job and unfortunately, understandably, they stepped down because the town didn't accept what they thought was a good idea and I think that unfortunately, because of that, it's going to be hard but we probably should see a new committee and hopefully they'll come to the same conclusion that the previous one did."

Chair John Goerlach added that he hopes it is a less costly building for the residents.

Officials are taking a step back and allowing the committee to explore different options to find the best fit for the town. It is now named the Public Safety Building Committee. 

Approved members include Eric Harrington, Selma Josell, Mark Seigers, Dean Clement, Lisa Dachinger, Jason Breault, Deborah Maynard, Joseph Trybus and Daniel MacWhinnie Sr.

They are being contacted to confirm interest, so the selections are subject to change.

Police Chief Robert Derksen and Emergency Medical Services Director Jennifer Weber will return as non-voting members. Based on feedback from residents who felt that there was not enough involvement in the process from the Select Board, the panel will be tasked with determining a relationship with one of the board's members.

Sorrell, the former police chief, was recommended to serve as the liaison in whatever capacity is needed.

"I just don't want to be a micromanager," he said. "I think that we have nine fresh minds on this committee. I think we should let them see what they find out on their own and investigate and yes, I would be more than willing to represent the Select Board and come to their meetings and listen to what they have going on."

Based on comments from the public, it was also suggested that the committee varies its meeting times because it is difficult for people to make it during the day. The previous committee had met in the afternoon. 

Town Administrator Gina Dario reported that the town plans to maintain the resources on the website from the previous committee for accessibility but a new page can be created for the Public Safety Building Committee to post new information.

Once the committee meets, which the board would like to see happen as soon as possible, a chair and mission statement will be decided on. Trybus, a contractor and member of both the Planning Board and Conservation Commission, was recommended as the chair.

Dario drafted objectives for the new panel that includes reviewing materials and the reports produced by the previous committee, looking at variations and other proposals, exploring whether or not to retain the police and EMS aspect, public engagement, and exploring funding options.

Goerlach pointed to Sorrell's favoring of the original proposal and Sorrell explained that he wants to see what the new committee finds, though he wouldn't be upset if the downvoted proposal was found to be the best option.

Murphy has also been on record with his support but feels good about this path forward.

"I felt like where we were in the process, we needed to keep it moving forward. I didn't feel like we had time to take that step down. I'm not against that step back now," Murphy said.

"As I mentioned at one of our recent meetings after the vote came in, I do think some concessions need may need to be made and if one of those concessions is coming up with a couple of options, one of which is really scaling back then that's what I'm looking for."

Sorrell agreed.

"We pull back the reins and let's see what happens. It's not a rush," he said.

"Previously yes, unfortunately, it was a rush to get to the special town meeting to get that done. In fact, if I remember correctly, you actually wanted to rush even earlier than that but now we can just pull back and say let's make everybody feel comfortable and do it the right way."

Goerlach also reported that he received a proposal from a property owner who would like to construct the building on their property and lease it to the town for a smaller price tag.

The board agreed that the legality and feasibility of the plan would have to be looked into and it will be referred to the committee.

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