Mass. town aims for fire station grant, gets support in DC

By Donna Boynton
The Telegram & Gazette Staff

NORTHBRIDGE, Mass. — The town's quest for a new fire station has made its way to the nation's capital, receiving the support of U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, who is backing the application for a $5 million federal grant. Mr. Neal wrote a letter of support July 30 to W. Ross Ashley III, assistant administrator of grant programs directorate at the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Association. The Board of Selectmen received a copy of the letter Aug. 4.

"The Town of Northbridge is currently struggling with major budget cuts to all municipal departments," Mr. Neal wrote. "Therefore, awarding (the grants) to the Fire Department will greatly help the department serve the community in a safe and productive manner."

The town has also applied for a $410,000 federal grant for a new firetruck and a $118,000 grant for firefighter turnout gear.

Mr. Neal's letter said the existing Main Street headquarters is more than 80 years old and is riddled with safety hazards. Among the building's shortcomings are the lack of a ramp to allow fire apparatus to enter and leave the building; the presence of lead paint and asbestos in the living and sleeping quarters, in the garage bays and in the storage spaces; apparatus bays that are too small for modern equipment; no accessibility for the handicapped, and a lack of separate facilities for men and women.

Mr. Neal noted the building cannot be modified to remedy some of these issues.

"The Northbridge Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the citizens and visitors of the town and the surrounding communities," he wrote. "In order for the department to provide these services in a safe and professional manner, they will need to provide their skilled personnel with dependable modern equipment."

"If awarded the grant, the department plans to construct a 20,000-square-foot building that will have enough room to house all of the apparatus as well as the fire operations storage," he wrote. "The new station will also incorporate energy efficiency and sustainable design principles."

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