Lanesborough Police Department Moves to Temporary Location
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Lanesborough Police Department has officially moved to its temporary location at 545 South Main St., as the department still waits for a brand-new station.
The department's been slowly transferring items in over the past days and, with Monday's installation of a landline, the police have officially moved in.
The move, official as of Aug. 1, comes after the $65,000 lease for the temporary space was approved by the Select Board in April. Necessary work for the location was minimal, meaning the department was able to begin the process of moving in soon after.
"I'm very appreciative to everyone that contributed to this project," said Police Chief Robert Derksen. "And obviously, the officials and residents of Lanesborough for supporting us and giving us a much more functional and safer environment for the next couple of years, while we plan on building the new facility."
The Police Station Building Committee proposed the space as a temporary location while formulating plans for a new station. The group made finding the department a temporary location, as it waits for the new station, a priority.
"We can pat ourselves on the back for what we've accomplished so far. It's a huge piece, but it's also a smaller piece of the picture of a new building," said Committee Chair Kristen Tool of the temporary station at a meeting last month. She noted signage for the building should be ready during August.
Plans for the new station are still ongoing, as the committee recently got permission to explore other sites for the project, looking last week at the former Skyline Country Club. The group is also working with EMS Director Jennifer Weber to get the town's emergency services involved with the project, which could allow for more grant opportunities.
The future of the previous police station at 8 Prospect St. is still undecided. The Police Station Building Committee discovered in March the property has a deed restriction requiring the town to maintain it as a public park.
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