Atkinson Police Station Survey

You spoke, we heard you!

The Atkinson Select Board is seeking input via this survey on next steps for the Atkinson Police Station. In the past, the Town appointed a committee of individuals tasked with promoting a project to build a new police station. The result was a 2024 Town Meeting Warrant Article proposing a new build for $9.4 million.

“Article #2024-02 Police Station Bond Passage of this article shall override the 10 percent limitation imposed on this appropriation due to the non-recommendation of the budget committee. Shall the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Nine Million, Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($9,400,000) for the construction and original equipping of a new Police Station building, and associated site work, to authorize the issuance of not more than Eight Million, Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($8,400,000) of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA Chapter 33); to authorize the Selectmen to issue, negotiate, sell and deliver such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon and the maturity and other terms thereof, to apply for, obtain and accept federal, state or other aid, if any, which may be available for said project and to comply with all laws applicable to said project; to authorize the Selectmen to take such other actions or to pass any other votes relative thereto as shall be in the best interest of the Town of Atkinson, New Hampshire: furthermore, to authorize the withdrawal of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) from the Undesignated Fund Balance for such purpose? This article is in addition to Warrant Article #2024-05, the Operating Budget. (3/5- ballot vote required).”

**For an overview of the cumulative details resulting in this warrant, click on this link:

The voters declined the warrant by a vote of 1,762 against and 629 approved.

The Board of Selectmen would like to receive feedback from our residents to successfully shape the various planning stages for our future police station. We strongly believe that community participation can accomplish our goal. Below is a brief survey, the first step to achieving our vision of public involvement in the future of this Town.

This survey takes about 10 minutes, but you are encouraged to leave additional comments. All survey results will be published, though inappropriate comments may be redacted.

Things to know about the survey:

Consider taking this survey on a computer or tablet for ease of entering responses.
Comments are not required but are encouraged. Responses to multiple-choice questions are captured automatically.
Survey results are completely anonymous.

This is your opportunity to voice your opinions and concerns in an effective and constructive fashion. The information you provide is important and will be used to facilitate a project that is acceptable to everyone.

If you would like to receive additional notices about future efforts related to the Police Station, and other Atkinson news, you will be directed on how to sign up at the end of this survey.

The Board very much appreciates your response. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of the Board of Selectmen at 603-362-1064 or 603-362-1060.

Thank you!

1. Please select a statement that most closely describes your relationship to the Town of Atkinson. (Select all that apply.)

In the optional comment box at the end of the questions in this survey, you are encouraged to elaborate on your stance, but it is not required. Your comment will remain private and anonymous to the survey team, and will not be displayed to other respondents when submitted.

I am a property owner in the Town of Atkinson

I reside in the Town of Atkinson but do not own property

I am a business owner, and my business is located in the Town of Atkinson

Other (Please explain)

Closed to responses

2. Did you vote in the March 2024 Atkinson Town Meeting?

Yes, and I voted FOR Article #2024-02 to Approve the Police Station Warrant Article.

Yes, and I voted AGAINST Article #2024-02 to NOT Approve the Police Station Warrant Article

No, I did not vote

Closed to responses

3. Have you toured the current Police Station or watched the video tour?

The video tour of the police station is available at: https://vimeo.com/890107756

(To view the video, copy the link into your browser.)

Yes - I have toured the Police Station OR watched the video

No, I have not toured the Police Station OR watched the video.

Closed to responses

4. What do you feel an appropriate and reasonable budget would be for a Police Department Building Project?

I do not believe this project is needed.

Up to $5 Million

Up to $8 Million

Up to $10 Million

Closed to responses

5. When considering funding for a new police station building, besides raising and appropriating taxpayer money, what other options should be considered? You may select multiple options.

Note that an Undesignated Fund Balance -includes amounts that are not obligated or specifically designated and are available for any purpose. The residual classification of any General Fund balance is to be reported. Any deficit balance of another fund is also classified as unassigned.

None, raise and appropriate taxpayer funding to fund the entire project.

Pursuing State or Federal Grant Funding if and when it becomes available.

Use money from the Town's Undesignated Fund Balance.

Conduct Fundraisers such as community events or raffles.

Seeking In-kind donations of goods and services to supply labor and materials.

Closed to responses

6. Where do you think the Police Station should be located? Place a pin in the location you feel is appropriate; you will also be able to leave a comment with the noted location.

The two yellow pins show the location of the existing Atkinson Police Station and the proposed location from the March 2024 Town Meeting.

To place a pin, click on the pin icon and drag the pin to the location you think would be best for the police station. You may select more than one location.

7. Based on the information provided at the beginning of this survey, (which includes the Space Needs Assessment and site and building plans), do you feel that the proposed plans in the Article #2024-02 warrant are appropriate to the current needs of the Town?

The Facility Condition Assessment and site and building plans are available at

Space Needs Assessment

http://atkinsonnh.civiccms.acsitefactory.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8101/f/uploads/apd_space_needs_assessment.pdf

Building design and site plans

https://www.town-atkinsonnh.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8101/f/uploads/harriman_design_plans.pdf

(To view the information, copy the link into your browser.)

Closed for Comments

8. What do you feel is the most significant driver for proposing a new Police Station?

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9. What do you feel are the most important benefits of a new PD building? Please rank the following features by dragging them into order of importance with the highest priority being at the top.

Closed to responses

10. Do you feel there are disadvantages to building a new Police Station? You may select multiple options.

I do not feel there are any disadvantages to building a new Police Department.

Current proposed cost will result in tax increases

Current proposed location on NH 121/Main Street is not optimal

Size of proposed building is too big

Current plan includes unnecessary empty space and/or proposed used of space

Closed to responses

11. Do you have any further comments regarding the need, location or cost related to a new Police Station?

Closed for Comments

March 2024 Police Station Warrant Proposal Information

Proposal Website -

https://www.town-atkinsonnh.com/police-station-steering-committee

Police Station Walkthrough (Video Tour)

https://vimeo.com/890107756

Space Needs Assessment

http://atkinsonnh.civiccms.acsitefactory.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8101/f/uploads/apd_space_needs_assessment.pdf

Police Station FAQs (Abbreviated)

https://www.town-atkinsonnh.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8101/f/uploads/police_station_faqs.pdf

History of Police Station

https://www.town-atkinsonnh.com/police-station-steering-committee/slideshows/history-apd-police-station

Police Station Space Study (Building design and site plans)

https://www.town-atkinsonnh.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8101/f/uploads/harriman_design_plans.pdf

Site and Design Presentation (Video)

https://www.town-atkinsonnh.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8101/f/uploads/harriman_design_plans.pdf

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Atkinson Police Station Survey

Atkinson Police Station Survey

You spoke, we heard you!

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1. Please select a statement that most closely describes your relationship to the Town of Atkinson. (Select all that apply.)

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2. Did you vote in the March 2024 Atkinson Town Meeting?

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3. Have you toured the current Police Station or watched the video tour?

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4. What do you feel an appropriate and reasonable budget would be for a Police Department Building Project?

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6. Where do you think the Police Station should be located? Place a pin in the location you feel is appropriate; you will also be able to leave a comment with the noted location.

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7. Based on the information provided at the beginning of this survey, (which includes the Space Needs Assessment and site and building plans), do you feel that the proposed plans in the Article #2024-02 warrant are appropriate to the current needs of the Town?

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8. What do you feel is the most significant driver for proposing a new Police Station?

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9. What do you feel are the most important benefits of a new PD building? Please rank the following features by dragging them into order of importance with the highest priority being at the top.

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10. Do you feel there are disadvantages to building a new Police Station? You may select multiple options.

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11. Do you have any further comments regarding the need, location or cost related to a new Police Station?