A new home for The Blue Mountains OPP detachment is one of the provisions in the proposed 2008 town budget.

The proposed budget is the subject of a public information session today, 5-7 p.m., at the L.E. Shore Memorial Library.

It includes $500,000 in funding for a new police station to be built just west of the Thornbury/Clarksburg Fire Station at Grey Rd. 2 and Clark St. About $85,000 would come from an existing capital reserve and about $176,000 would come from development charges.

More development charges money, about $20,000 to $25,000 a year, would be paid toward the new police station over the next several years.

The Blue Mountains OPP detachment currently shares space with the Collingwood OPP, but the Collingwood office is already too small to house both detachments. The Blue Mountains  is facing the choice of either paying for an expansion of that facility or building a police office here.

Chief Administrative Officer Paul Graham told the town's Finance and Administration County that the proposal is for a building approximately 3,500 square feet in size plus a 500-square-foot garage.

It would serve as a reporting location for the detachments 10 constables, sergeant and an administrative support person.

The budget figure is based on a concept design and cost estimate from a local contractor, reviewed by the town's chief building official.

Another $25,000 is included in the budget for furniture and equipment for the new station.

If the budget is approved, a terms of reference for a design-build project would be ready by the end of this month, with the contract awarded by April 30. Construction would take place during the summer.

Council will hold a public meeting on the proposed budget next Monday evening during the regular council meeting. The budget is scheduled to come up for approval at the February 20 council meeting.