MAS BUILDING AND BRIDGE, INC. IRONWORKERS Tim Hogan (left) and Collin Welch install the final steel beam for the new public safety complex and Town Hall project during a topping off ceremony held on Oct. 17. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The public safety complex (PSC) and Town Hall project reached another major milestone on Oct. 17.
Police officers, firefighters, town employees, officials and the project team held a topping off ceremony for the PSC and Town Hall project in front of a large crowd located at the back of the construction site. A topping off ceremony is when contractors install the final steel beam for a building project.
Similar to the Fire Headquarters topping off ceremony in August, the steel beam was painted white and was signed by current and retired public safety officers, local officials, the design team, contractors working on the project and other attendees. The beam also included an American flag and a small evergreen tree attached to it.
As part of the $63.5 million project, the Police Station and old Fire Headquarters are in the process of being renovated and expanded. Additionally, the Town Hall addition will make it compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by constructing an elevator. A new H. Joseph Maney Meeting Room will also be built for municipal boards and community groups to use.
“This is a big day for Lynnfield,” said Town Administrator Rob Dolan. “We are really starting to see what the public safety and Town Hall building is going to look like.”
Dolan thanked residents for voting to approve the public safety buildings and Town Hall project two years ago.
“In a time of great inflation, the people voted to support firefighters, police officers, dispatchers and the people who work at Town Hall,” said Dolan.
Dolan recalled that the renovated public safety complex will be safer for firefighters and police officers. He noted that the old Fire Headquarters required firefighters’ turnout gear to be stored on the floor next to the apparatus in both stations, which increased the risk of firefighters being exposed to dangerous carcinogens. Police officers were previously forced to bring in people placed under arrest into the station via a back stairwell that was deemed as dangerous.
“This project will create a building that will not only be more enjoyable to work in, but it will be a safer environment from carcinogens and bringing in dangerous criminals upstairs,” said Dolan.
Dolan said firefighters, police officers and town employees will be moving into the two new stations and renovated Town Hall in December 2025.
“The tree tradition is fitting because we will be moving into the new building in a little more than a year from now during the holidays,” said Dolan. “We are looking forward to cutting the ribbon for the front door and starting a new chapter for Lynnfield. The idea of a new public safety building has been talked about for 20 to 30 years, and it is happening right now.”
Dolan thanked Select Board Chair Dick Dalton, Select Board member Phil Crawford and Select Board member Alexis Leahy for supporting the $63.5 million public safety buildings and Town Hall project. He also thanked former Select Board/Strategic Planning Committee Chair Joe Connell for supporting and helping spearhead the project.
“On behalf of them, I want to thank everybody who works here,” said Dolan. “I want to thank our contractor, Commodore Builders, our architect Tappé and our owner’s project manager, PMA, for doing an incredible job. They have been incredible partners. It has been a real team effort.”
Police Chief Nick Secatore said the topping off ceremony was a celebratory moment for the project, Police and Fire departments and the town.
“Today is an extraordinary step forward for the project, police officers, firefighters and the town of Lynnfield,” said Secatore.
POLICE CHIEF Nick Secatore (second from right) thanked the community for supporting the $63.5 million public safety buildings and Town Hall project during a topping off ceremony on Oct. 17. From left, Patrolman Nick Goodwin, Patrolman Jon Duzz, Capt. Chris DeCarlo, School Resource Officer Alex Doto, Secatore, Commodore Builders Vice President/Operations Manager Rich Lucht and Town Administrator Rob Dolan. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
Secatore thanked Connell and the Strategic Planning Committee for making a new public safety complex a priority. He also thanked the Select Board and residents for supporting the project.
“It’s unbelievable to us,” said Secatore. “I know it might be hard to believe, but they have been talking about this since I was running around as a kid. It is a great step forward. The Commodore, PMA and Tappé Architects teams have been outstanding to work with. They are making this project happen. We are fortunate to be here and we are very thankful to be here. We are grateful for the support and for every single one of you for coming here today to see this move forward. We are looking forward to moving in December 2025.”
Commodore Builders Vice President/Operations Manager Rich Lucht said his firm is “proud and grateful to be part of this great project.”
“This is one of my favorite milestones for any project,” said Lucht. “It’s a culmination of the collaboration that goes on between all the parties: Tappé as the architect, PMA as the owner’s project manager and Commodore as the construction company, along with all of the trade partners who put this together for us. I want to thank everyone who has had a hand in this — from putting up steel to pouring concrete. They are here every day building this project for you. We are really proud to help Lynnfield move into the future with these state-of-the-art facilities. We appreciate being a part of it.”
After the ceremony concluded, Mas Building and Bridge Inc. ironworkers Tim Hogan and Collin Welch lifted and erected the final steel bean that included the American flag and a small evergreen tree.
The ceremony’s attendees gave the ironworkers, contractors and public safety officers a round of applause. Afterwards, attendees enjoyed a catered Mexican lunch comprised of street tacos that was paid for by Commodore Builders.
