Appleton Alderman Jim Clemmons was quoted in the Monday, January 21st Post-Crescent article asking for a resolution to study how Grand Chute Police Department facilities could be used to alleviate the size of the Appleton Police Department's $12 million remodel job if the two departments merged.
"If the two police departments merge I believe it becomes one department," Clemons said. "I think Grand Chute has room in their town hall. If we can benefit through a merger using the Grand Chute space as a satellite building for us, maybe we don't have to build our station as big as we are planning to."
As a background, the Grand Chute police department is housed inside the town hall building. The town hall also contains community development, legislature, municipal courts and the highway, water and sanitary services departments.
After taking a one hour tour of the entire Town Hall facility yesterday, I would caution Appleton Alderpersons against downsizing their new department remodel. My tour consisted of every office, storage area, maintenance closet, every room in the Town Hall. IF the departments were to merge, there is not an abundant amount of space that is not currrently being used in the police department area. In fact, there is only one open office in the police department right now. This was previously used for a drug investigative office, which will be replaced. The rest of department space is being used to the fullest level that an operating police department requires, and I fail to see how the level of personnel needed would change, even if the location were designated as a satellite station.
The basement level contains a briefing room, evidence room, holding cells, Staff Sgt and detective offices, all which will still be needed. The upstairs consists of senior level management staff offices, interview rooms and space for four clerical staff positions.
There is only one other office in the town hall building (outside of the police department) that is not in use. This is a single cubicle in the administration office, and is used during election times and for citizens who want to look at open records or discuss taxes with the treasurer.
There are only two other open areas in the town hall. One is behind community development, and the other is in the basement under the board room. Neither is finished (only concrete walls and insulation ... not windows, heat lines, etc), and both are currently used for storage of files, maps, records, misc equipment, etc. It would not be in the best interest of Grand Chute residents for Appleton to use the town hall's unfinished space. The taxpayers funded the town hall building for future growth in mind. The town's projected population over the next 15-20 years is expected to increase to estimated 30,000 population. It is not fiscally responsible to give up these open areas to be utilized by a merged department. This space will be needed to accommodate future increases in inspectors, highway personnel and other town employees. Allowing additional space to be used for merged police department use would cause other departments to prematurely outgrow their areas in the town hall.
Therefore, I would advise Appleton against downsizing their department plans.
