Warm but brief remarks from Police Chief James Viadero, Police Commissioner Joel Faxon, and First Selectman Dan Rosenthal countered the breeze that chilled several dozen attendees at a ceremonial groundbreaking November 20 signaling the official start of construction on the community’s new police headquarters.

Local officials were joined by representatives of Consigli Construction and Kaestle Boos — the construction and design firms contracted for the project that will eventually convert a former Taunton Press administrative facility into a modern police station and emergency communications center with room to expand over the next 30-50 years.

Consigli Project Management Team leader Victor Ciancetta welcomed those who attended and recognized members of his team and the design staffers who came out.

“It’s been a very successful pre-construction effort,” he said. “We’ve enjoyed working with the town and the chief and his staff to get to this point. And we’re just looking forward to getting out here onsite and officially getting underway.”

Mr Rosenthal noted the 1999 Space Needs study he reviewed as part of the long litany of documents and public actions leading up to the groundbreaking.

“It has been 20 years since this project was conceived, and it took that long to get it done,” the first selectman said. “I want to first thank the taxpayers for making this possible. I think our taxpayers recognize the fine job being done by the men and women of our police department and dispatch center — and what they do for the community.”

Mr Rosenthal then acknowledged former Police Commission Chairman Paul Mangiafico and several current commissioners who attended, as well as the many town officials and elected and appointed individuals who played roles in bringing the project to fruition.

“I think they recognized this police department needed a shot in the arm, and I think that shot in the arm came when Chief Viadero joined the staff, providing great leadership for the department and in our community,” he said, adding that voters overwhelmingly supported funding the project at referendum.

“It’s a momentous occasion for our town and the police department,” Mr Rosenthal concluded.

Police Chief Viadero echoed the first selectman’s sentiments extending appreciation to the taxpayers who endorsed both the design and construction phases of the new headquarters in separate budget referenda.

“There’s been a lot of hard work done by a lot of people behind the scenes, and we want to thank the first selectman. I think it was his vision — they say timing is everything, and everything was in the right place at the right time,” he said. “This is a building that the town deserves and that the men and women of the police department deserve.”

Commissioner Faxon also referred to the project as one that has “spanned the millenia,” as it slowly inched toward a project that would actually happen.

“Dan noted things started in the last century, and in the previous police commission, Paul [Mangiafico] certainly pressed the need for a new police department facility,” he said. “Thankfully it’s here.”

Mr Rosenthal also thanked the design and construction teams for their work to date on the project.

With that, a number of officials tied to the project grabbed one of the dozen inscribed chrome shovels and red hard hats positioned around a mound of soil.

Then, the group, which included Police Captain Christopher Vanghele, Chief Viadero, Police Commissioners Faxon and Brian Budd, Scott Cicciari and Joan Plouffe, Selectman Maureen Crick Owen, Mr Rosenthal, Mr Mangiafico, Kaestle Boos architect Alex McKeton, P&Z Chairman Don Mitchell, Town Purchasing Agent Rick Spreyer, Public Building & Site Commissioner Harold ‘Gus’ Brennan, and Consigli Project Management Team leader Victor Ciancetta, dug in and tossed a few rounds of dirt, marking the next phase of this development that many agreed was too long in coming but a welcome addition that would benefit the community and its law enforcement professionals for decades to come.