NEWPORT – Officials are mulling over three major municipal construction projects and considering paying a lot now or paying a lot more later.

The projects include a salt-sand shed, a new Public Works garage and a revamp of existing town buildings as well as new construction for the Fire and Police Departments.

The situation is dire, Town Manager James Ricker told the Board of Selectmen Wednesday night.

“We can’t even fit people between the walls and the trucks in the Fire Department,” Ricker said. “It is almost dangerous to get around in.”

The building was built by firefighters in 1955. Both the Fire Department, which also houses the Police Department, and the Public Works Department next to it are built on the banks of the East Branch of the Sebasticook River.

The block foundations are slipping down the banks, Ricker said. In addition, the Public Works’ garage is too small for today’s equipment. “One truck is kept somewhere else in a shed,” Ricker said.

“These buildings have outlived themselves,” he said.

In addition, the town may be in compliance without a sand-salt shed but Ricker said the town’s liability for possible groundwater contamination is high.

Twenty years ago, townspeople voted against accepting state funds to build a new sand-salt shed. “We know we have a liability there,” Ricker said. “Turning our heads will not make us any less liable.”

Ricker suggested that the selectmen mull over a proposal that would relocate the Public Works Department to town-owned property at the end of Carter Street, along Interstate 95. “The only place for public works is out of town,” Ricker said.

The estimate for a 7,500-square-foot steel building would be $750,000. A salt-sand shed on the same location would cost about $300,000.

Ricker also suggested knocking down the existing garage and constructing a new fire station that would adjoin the existing fire-police station. The Police Department could expand into the current fire station, giving the department much needed evidence storage and office space.

Ricker said the town would qualify for U.S. Department of Agriculture public infrastructure loans that are available for 29 years at 4 percent.

If $1.5 million were borrowed, Ricker said the estimated annual payment would be $83,000 a year. Ricker said all three projects could be put out to bid as a single package.

“It is a lot of money,” he said.

“One of the things we have learned with the cultural center [construction] is that while we keep waiting and waiting for donations, the construction costs keep going up,” Chairman Al Worden said. “I think if we can get the structures up at today’s prices, it will be so much cheaper down the road.”

The board agreed to look at the proposal during their budget process and, if approved, bring it to the voters at the March 8 town meeting.

Sharon Mack may be reached at bdnpittsfield@verizon.net or 487-3187.