Saturday, November 7 will mark a new chapter in the history of the Newtown Police Department as a ceremonial ribbon cutting takes place at its new headquarters at 191 South Main Street.

Although that ceremony is by invitation only to minimize the risk of coronavirus transmission, limited tours of the facility will be offered to the public Saturday on a first come, first served basis between noon and 2 pm, according to First Selectman Dan Rosenthal.

“It looks like the weather will cooperate, allowing for social distancing as people wait,” Rosenthal added. “We apologize in advance if there is a wait. Masks are required to enter the building.”

During a brief walk-through of the nearly completed complex November 4, Rosenthal said he is sorry to have to minimize access to festivities Saturday.

“Depending on how many people show up, there may be some short waits to get folks through,” he said. “But it will be one of the few chances for the public to see a facility that I think will serve our police force and emergency communications staff well for generations to come.”

Looking back on the transformation of the former Taunton Press administrative offices to a state-of-the-art law enforcement facility, the first selectman had nothing but praise for everyone involved.

“I think we did it right,” he said. “We involved the Public Building & Site Commission [PBSC] very early on, we really kicked the tires hard on that site to determine its feasibility for what we hoped to build, and we weren’t flying blind before we broke ground.”

Even though a lot of site work had to be done, Rosenthal said having an existing shell and viable location was key in getting the long-overdue effort on a new headquarters off the block.

Although crews had to pivot quickly to accommodate COVID-related restrictions and protocols for crews and workers, the first selectman said those working there stayed healthy, which helped keep the project on schedule.

With expectations of bringing the final project in at or under budget, Rosenthal gave special thanks to PBSC officials who watched over every facet of the project from beginning to end, Police Chief James Viadero, who also sent countless hours on site, and town staffers from Land Use, the Health District, the building inspector’s office, and the fire marshal’s office for making the project a true municipal team effort.

Rosenthal said he is hoping to come in under budget, but definition on that point should be clear by year’s end.