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At least 100 residents attended the introduction to the town’s new five-bay fire station at Boston and Blake’s Hill roads on Dec. 15.
A short ceremony included U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan and state Rep. James Arciero who both addressed the crowd. Selectman Scott Hazelton also spoke.
But this day belonged to members of the Permanent Town Building Committee, chaired by Tom Mahanna and the staff of the Fire Department led by Chief Joseph Targ. [Scroll past the photo gallery to read more.]
The $12.7M building took about 15 months to complete. At 20,000 square feet it is a tremendous change from the 6,800 square foot, 44-year-old building occupied by the firefighting staff until last month.
Mahanna reminded the audience that the project required three presentations at Town Meetings, a ballot box vote for a temporary tax hike, appearances before selectmen and the Planning Board and two years of working group design meetings.
The five-bay garage provides adequate storage for the ladder truck, three ambulances, three engines, and additional space for emergency response vehicles, Mahanna said.
The building has a 50-seat training room, a conference room, office space, and advanced life support, fire investigation and training services.
The main entrance is designed to be a safe haven for anyone in distress and in need of help.
The station was named the Fletcher Fire Station 1 in tribute to one of Westford’s earliest families, who had many generations of firefighters throughout the years. The most recent firefighting Fletcher, Harold, retired from the department this spring.
Trahan is a Westford resident.
“Thank you Chief Targ and your staff who put your lives in danger every day,” said Trahan. “…It means so much to me to share the opening of this fire station.”
