WATERVILLE — City officials this morning broke ground on a new 12,133-square-foot police station at Colby Circle.
City Manager Michael Roy said the groundbreaking was the first step in what the city hopes will be a quick process.
“I can’t tell you how happy I am that we’re at this point today,” he said.
He and Police Chief Joseph Massey and Council Chairman Fred Stubbert, D-Ward 1, dipped spades into the dirt as heavy equipment roared nearby in the rain, clearing land for an access road.
“Even this rain is not going to dampen my enthusiasm for what is happening today,” Massey said.
Massey said it is an exciting time for the Police Department.
“We’ve waited for this for a long, long time,” he said.
Stubbert said it is a great relief to be breaking ground and starting the project.
“Hopefully by June of next year we’ll be in this building and it’ll be something we’ll really be proud of,” he said.
About two dozen people turned out for the groundbreaking, including representatives of Wright Ryan Construction, the general contractor for the project, and Port City Architecture, the architect.
 Police officers, members of the Police Station Study Committee, City Engineer Greg Brown, City Councilor Rosemary Winslow, D-Ward 3, and Safety Council Chairman Peter Joseph were among those who attended the groundbreaking.
The proposed cost for the police station, including equipment and furniture, is $3.4 million. Councilors are scheduled to vote on whether to approve that cost later this month.

Colby Circle is to the north of City Hall, where the Police Department now is housed in the building’s basement.

Amy Calder — 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com