LENOX — Ten years after it was first proposed, it was showtime on Saturday to celebrate the imminent completion of the $21 million state-of-the-art public safety complex in Lenox.

It’s expected to be activated for police, fire and EMT departments by early next month when technical installations are completed.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony launched a four-hour open house, highlighted by a slide presentation by Amy Lafave, the town library’s local historian on the 1909 formation of the fire department and its first two fire chiefs after a devastating downtown blaze.

Lenox Town Hall and public safety officials cut the ribbon Saturday for the town's $21 million complex housing the police, fire and EMS departments. The facility is expected to go into operation by early next month.

To build such an edifice with its extensive technology, “it takes time, a lot of vision, a lot of communication and perhaps most importantly, a tremendous amount of commitment across every town board,” said Town Manager Jay Green. Fire and police protection are among the town’s top priorities, he pointed out, describing the complex as “built for tomorrow.”

“The men and women surrounding us in uniform, that is what we do as a local government, and often we forget about that,” Green said. “Today that’s what we’re celebrating, that history and that legacy.”

Former Fire Chief Christopher O’ Brien, who retired last June, cited the first fire chief, Oscar Hutchinson, for building the town’s original firehouse 116 years ago. Wearing an original fire department uniform, O’Brien thanked all the town’s firefighters since then. “You’re definitely not forgotten and are just as much a part of the ceremony,” he said.

O’Brien acknowledged that the construction was not always a smooth process, but the team “made difficult decisions, keeping in mind the needs of the departments while staying within a budget.”

He reserved his greatest thanks for the town’s taxpayers “who overwhelmingly approved this project and believed in it.”

His brother, Police Chief Stephen O’Brien, less than a month ahead of his own retirement, recalled how the “elaborate amount of money” was approved by residents with no questions asked. “That says a great deal about the town of Lenox,” he said.

Former Town Manager Christopher Ketchen, whose vision helped launch the project with the O’Brien brothers and former Fire Chief Dan Clifford, called the outcome “just outstanding.”

“The unanimous town vote, not a single question, in my 25 years of public service I’ve never seen that before,” Ketchen told The Eagle on Monday. “This project is a great example of everything that is right about public safety planning.”

Incoming Police Chief Mark L. Smith called the new facility an asset in recruiting and retaining first responders.

The incoming Lenox Police Chief Mark L. Smith called the new public safety complex "a symbol to me of the commitment the town has to its public safety services. They built it for the future."

“This is far more than a building,” Smith said. “This is a symbol to me, as the new guy, of the commitment that the town has to the public safety services. Nothing here was missed, the team did it right. They built it for the future.”

Fire Chief Bob Casucci predicted the new building “will serve us well” and noted the presence of the Hinsdale Fire Department’s rehab unit as well as other specialized first responder teams from the region outside Lenox.

Lenox Selectman Neal Maxymillian, also chairman of the town's Permanent Buildings Committee, commended taxpayers for their unanimous approval of the $25 million public safety project, which came in under budget at $21 million spent so far.

Selectman Neal Maxymillian, who chairs the town’s Permanent Buildings Committee overseeing major projects, cited the other committee members, including Select Board members Ed Lane, Jeff Vincent, Tom Delasco and Andrew Lane.

He commended town taxpayers for enthusiastically and unanimously supporting the funding in December 2022. “It’s something I hope you’re all proud of,” Maxymillian said. Resources, technology and “a safe and relaxing environment” are the result, helping police, fire and EMS professionals perform their jobs safely and effectively.

“More than just a building, it’s a hub for community safety for our first responders and our citizens,” he added. “It sets a new standard for our community and all of Berkshire County.”

The event attracted Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue, state Rep. Leigh Davis, D-Great Barrington, state Sen. Paul Mark, D-Becket, and Joann Shugrue, representing U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield.

Also singled out at the ceremony were members of the construction team, including architect Jim Hanifan of Caolo and Bieniek Associates, project manager Daniel Pallotta of P3 Project Planning Professionals, and the Fontaine Brothers of Springfield, the general contractor.

Public comment about the facility was generally upbeat. Longtime resident Dr. Jesse Spector called it “outstanding” and called the ceremony “a perfect day.”

“It was a proud moment,” said Spector, a retired oncologist and hematologist at Berkshire Medical Center. “As a taxpayer, it’s not over the top or overdone in any way, but each room and the purpose it serves was just right. It looked like the money was put to good use without any fanfare or frills.”