PARIS – Every Monday just after 7 p.m., there’s a simultaneous tone test of every area firefighter who carries a pager.

The timing of this week’s test couldn’t have been more fitting for celebrating the opening of the new Paris Fire Station.

At the same instant Monday that selectmen and the four fire chiefs snipped the ribbon, the pagers of the chiefs and several other firefighters all went off, loudly, at once.

Everyone, including the architects from Oest Associates, laughed with relief. The new $1.96 million fire station on Western Avenue, after years of controversy over its design, location and cost, was finally complete.

Later, inside the 175-seat meeting room, Town Manager Steve McAllister thanked Harvey Oest and his two architects for their hard work, redrafting the design at least five times after voters balked at the price. And he gave golden shovels from the groundbreaking last July to what Paris firefighters call “the four chiefs:” Honorary Fire Chief John Bryant, Fire Chief Bradley Frost, 2nd Deputy Chief Butch Larson and 1st Deputy Chief Willie Buffington.

“We really appreciate it,” McAllister said. “The town has got a wonderful facility.” He encouraged residents to come to the June 21 town meeting and see for themselves, since the meeting will be held starting at 9 a.m. at the new fire station.

The Fire Department will hold its first open house at the new station from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 20.

The department’s firefighting trucks were moved into the new 10-bay station two weeks ago from the old station at Market Square. Voters will decide July 20 whether to keep the old station, or sell the property for a minimum bid of $90,000.

Standing in the new bay, Buffington said it was a pleasure to bring in a truck from one end, wash it, then cross over inside and park it on the other end.

That’s quite a change from the cramped conditions at the old station, he said. “I think this will serve us well.”

ggeraghty@sunjournal.com

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