New GELD headquarters slated for spring ribbon-cutting

GROTON -- With the logjam of local permitting and approval reviews finally removed, the long anticipated construction of the Groton Electric Light Department's new office/garage complex began earlier this summer.

By all the evidence, it has proceeded quickly toward conclusion early in the new year.

"I'm very happy with the progress being made on the complex," said GELD manager Kevin Kelly of the building rising off Station Avenue. "It's moving along very nicely."

With ground broken in June, the land was quickly cleared by employees of Methuen-based New England Builders and Contractors and a concrete pad poured. Within days, it seemed, a wooden frame rose over the pad and soon after that, the metal skeleton of the garage portion followed.

Currently, the office portion is enclosed and efforts proceeding apace so that electricians, plumbers and drywallers can work indoors as temperatures fall and the season grows late.

In fact, construction has proceeded so fast over the past several weeks that the project seemed to be glitch-free.

"There have been no problems so far in the construction phase," confirmed Kelly. "No major surprises."

Kelly added that the project presented no unusual challenges for builders and as a result, he expects the new building to be ready for a ribbon-cutting ceremony by spring.

At just over $4 million, the project turned out to be slightly more expensive than planners intended.

"It's more than we wanted to spend but it was the best we could do after all of the delays and challenges in getting the project off the ground," said Kelly.

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New GELD headquarters slated for spring ribbon-cutting