Killingly Votes to Purchase New Police Department Building

Killingly, Conn. - A vote to purchase the property at 26 Soap St, for use by the Killingly Police Department, was unanimously passed at a special town meeting on Tuesday, December 13th, 2022.

The Town Council, and voters, approved $420,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to purchase the Soap St property, with plans to renovate it to house the administrative offices of the towns police force. This force currently consists of 8 constables and 2 resident troopers with the goal to reach the staffing level of 10 Constables and 1 Resident Trooper. This constabulary falls under the control of Connecticut State Police Troop D, giving them access to Troop D's operational resources, including lock-up and dispatch center. The long-term goal is to move the town towards a municipal police force which would require a full police facility.

The current police department administrative office space is located at the Killingly Town Hall, 172 Main Street, and is no longer sufficiently large enough to accommodate the needs of the police force. The Town Council has previously approved up to $800,000 of ARPA funding for the relocation of the law enforcement offices.

According to the Town Council Agenda, released prior to the December 13th special town meeting, 9 other locations throughout town were evaluated prior to deciding on the 26 Soap St property. This property is in a centralized location, requiring minimal renovations, and is a close connection to the fiber network.

The property was fully renovated in 2016, and has a 3-bay garage, a fenced in area behind the structure, and water and sewer connections. The property is appraised at $420,000.

In addition to the sale of the real estate, an 11,000 lb. vehicle lift, 20-foot storage container, and security camera system will be purchased and installed at an estimated cost of $22,000-$25,000.

Renovations to the building will include, restroom reconfiguration, security hardening of exterior openings, installation of fiber connections, installation of an external call box, to directly contact Officers or Troop D, and a generator. The cost of the renovations is estimated at $210,000.

The total investment in the facility is estimated at $630,000, with an annual operating cost of $10,000-$15,000.