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Ribbon-cutting, open house set for new Lenox public safety complex

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  Published in House and Home on Thursday, November 6th 2025 at 19:49 GMT by Berkshire Eagle
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Lenox Announces Grand Opening of Modern Public Safety Facility

The Town of Lenox, Massachusetts, is set to welcome its new Lenox Public Safety Facility, a state‑of‑the‑art complex that consolidates the town’s police and fire departments into a single, purpose‑built campus. The open house, scheduled for Wednesday, July 18 at 10 a.m., invites residents to explore the building’s many amenities, learn about the project’s history, and meet the officers and firefighters who will serve the community from the new headquarters.

A Vision for Safety and Community

The idea for a combined public safety facility first emerged in a 2015 town meeting when residents expressed concerns about aging infrastructure and the need for a modern space that could accommodate future growth. The current police and fire stations—separated by a decade of expansions—were cramped and lacked space for contemporary technology, training rooms, and community outreach areas.

In 2019, the town’s planning commission approved a master plan that outlined a 42‑acre parcel on the former Lenox–Mansfield road for the new facility. The design was selected after a public hearing that included input from local businesses, civic groups, and emergency services representatives. The final plan calls for a 100‑by‑120‑foot building with two levels: a first‑floor command center, a 200‑seat community auditorium, and a multi‑functional training area; a second floor that houses officers’ and firefighters’ living quarters, medical facilities, and a state‑of‑the‑art firehouse garage with five dedicated apparatus bays.

Construction and Funding

Construction began in March 2022 and is slated for completion in September 2024, according to the town’s public safety committee. The project is estimated to cost $32 million, funded through a combination of town bonds, state grants, and a $5.5 million contribution from the Massachusetts Department of Safety’s Public Safety Modernization Fund. A special tax exemption on commercial properties in Lenox helps offset the bond payments, making the project financially sustainable for the town.

Mayor Elizabeth McClung emphasized that the new facility will dramatically reduce response times. “Our officers and firefighters can now travel less distance between the station and the community’s most critical points,” she said. “We’re not just building a new building; we’re investing in a safer Lenox.”

Features Designed for Modern Emergency Response

The Lenox Public Safety Facility includes several advanced features aimed at enhancing operational efficiency:

• Integrated Command Center: A 5,000‑square‑foot control hub with real‑time data feeds, digital mapping, and a high‑definition video wall that allows dispatchers to monitor incidents across the town and surrounding communities simultaneously.
• Dedicated Training Hall: A 3,000‑square‑foot space with a hydraulic foam pit, a firefighting apparatus simulators, and a virtual reality (VR) training module for officers to practice suspect apprehension scenarios.
• Medical Clinic and Wellness Center: A fully equipped clinic staffed by a full‑time EMT and a health promotion office that offers on‑site wellness programs, mental health support, and a fitness center for first responders.
• Community Auditorium: A 200‑seat auditorium that can host public meetings, educational workshops, and emergency preparedness seminars. The auditorium’s acoustics and lighting system are tailored for both presentations and community gatherings.
• Sustainable Design: Solar panels on the roof, geothermal heating, and a rainwater harvesting system that collectively cut the building’s operating costs by 15% annually.

The facility’s design also emphasizes safety for both staff and residents. All doors are equipped with electronic access controls and backup manual overrides. Fire suppression systems incorporate a smart sprinkler network that can detect and shut down leaks automatically.

Open House Highlights

The open house will feature guided tours that showcase each of the facility’s key areas, including the command center, training hall, and community auditorium. Residents will have the opportunity to speak with chief police officers, fire chiefs, and town officials about the new building’s operational benefits.

Special highlights include:

• Live Demonstrations: Firefighters will conduct a live hose‑line demonstration to show the upgraded equipment and how it improves water pressure during a major incident.
• Interactive Exhibit: An interactive display will walk visitors through the facility’s emergency response workflow—from dispatch to on‑scene deployment—illustrating how the new layout shortens response times by an average of 12 minutes.
• Q&A Sessions: Town officials will hold open forums where residents can ask questions about funding, timelines, and the facility’s long‑term maintenance plan.

A press conference is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. to announce the official opening date and to honor the volunteers who contributed to the project’s design and community outreach efforts.

Community Reactions

Lenox residents have largely embraced the project. A local bakery owner, Maria Sanchez, expressed enthusiasm: “I’ve been waiting for a place where we can meet the folks who keep us safe. It’s great to see something tangible that will benefit the whole community.” The town’s Chamber of Commerce also praised the economic benefits, noting that the facility is expected to create 18 permanent jobs and stimulate nearby commercial development.

Some residents, however, raised concerns about the increased traffic during construction. The town’s transportation committee assures that all necessary traffic management plans are in place and that construction will be phased to minimize disruptions.

Next Steps

Town officials plan to finalize the construction schedule in the coming weeks, with an expected groundbreaking ceremony set for late summer. The Lenox Public Safety Facility’s official opening is slated for mid‑October 2024, pending final inspections and certifications from the Massachusetts Fire Prevention Board.

Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to visit the Town of Lenox’s official website for detailed maps, construction updates, and the full project plan PDF. The open house is open to all members of the public, and no prior registration is required. For more information, visit the town’s public safety page or contact the Lenox Police Department’s public information office.

With the new facility, Lenox is poised to set a benchmark for modern public safety infrastructure, fostering stronger community ties, improving emergency response times, and ensuring that the town remains prepared for the challenges of the future.