Dartmouth Voters Say ‘No’ To Police Station Renovation

Plans for a permanent Dartmouth police station took a step back after Tuesday night's town election.

Voters said 'no' to the ballot question 1116 - 992, which asked to renovate the current police building for $8.4 million, raising resident taxes by about $37.

The station has been closed for nearly two years due to severe mold problems, with the department currently working out of mobile buildings.

Dartmouth Police Chief Robert Szala says he expects a new direction for the police station to be decided quickly.

"I received several calls over the last couple of days that they beleive that we should be buiding a new station, and it should be in the north end of town," Szala tells WBSM News. "I look forward to going back to Building Committee and working with the people again to satisfy everyone."

Voters also chose a new selectman to take the vacant seat left by imprisoned ex-Selectman John George.

John Haran, formerly of the Finance Committee, won with 1189 votes over Joel Avila, who received 1080 votes.

Haran says he's thankful for those who voted for him, however, was disappointed that only 11% of the 21,530 registered voters in Dartmouth turned out.

In the race for School Committee, incumbants John Nunes and Christopher Oliver took the two open seats over newcomer Kyle Ross.