FAIRFIELD TWP. — Construction of a $900,000 police station at the northeast corner of Walden Ponds Circle and Vonnie Vale Court off Princeton Road will begin this month.

        The 7,000-square-foot, red brick facility is being built on land donated by de veloper Harry Thomas. It should be finished in June.

        The police headquarters is being funded with part of the money generated through a 5.9-mill police services tax levy passed last year. It generates about 1.3 million annually, said Township Administrator Ron Randolph. The police move to the new station will free up space at the administration building on Millikin Road to cope with growth in other departments.

        Last year, the township built a $1.8 million fire headquarters next to the administration building and passed tax levies for fire department improvements including the launch of paramedic services planned for early in 2002. Police have beefed up manpower with two new full- time officers and two new cruisers this year.

        “We have room to grow in the new building,” said Police Chief Richard St. John. “We anticipate that — without doing any expansions at all — this facility will last us at least 10 years.” Architects have designed a carport covered by a roof extension that can been enclosed when police need to expand again.

        The department employs 11 full-time officers, seven part-timeofficers and a full-time police clerk to protect the rapidly growing 17-square-mile township of 15,700 people.

        Chief St. John and Mr. Randolph said they expect burgeoning residential and commercial growth to continue in the township, increasing the need for added police manpower and equipment. Home Depot and Wal— Mart have located in the community and a number of smaller commercial enter prises are planned.

        The police headquarters will be tucked amid residential areas — surrounded by attractive developments including the Walden Ponds and Shafer Run communities. A new township park is planned behind the police stations.

        The facility will feature a combined police training and community room in its lower level to provide meeting space for community groups, Chief St. John said.

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