The police and fire departments have operated for years in cramped quarters, but that will eventually change as town officials on Tuesday held a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off construction of a new complex.
The budget includes the largest single payment the town will make on the planned public safety building, for which construction will begin later this month.
A town investigation determined Selectman Harold Bigelow in his interactions with municipal employees and others violated a code of ethics all elected and appointed officials must agree to follow.