GREENFIELD — Eighteen of 20 people spoke during a special City Council meeting Friday evening in favor of the council approving the mayor’s request for another $6 million for the fire station project.
The meeting was called specifically to allow public comment on the matter, with councilors saying they wanted as much input as possible. The council will meet again Wednesday at 7 p.m. online, when it will hold a public hearing and then will take its vote on the fire station funding.
Resident Dawn Morin spoke first, saying she’s not opposed to a new fire station, but thinks it is “ludicrous” for the city to spend money on a temporary fire station. The city has allocated $1.9 million for the temporary one, planned for the municipal parking lot on Hope Street, that firefighters will have to move into for about two years while the permanent fire station is being built.
“Firefighters are more than due,” she said. “But I don’t think the council should vote a lot of money before a permanent site is secured.”
The city is still in negotiations with the owner of the open-air market property at Main Street and Coombs Avenue to house the permanent fire station.
Morin said if negotiations fall through, firefighters could find themselves in a temporary station for more than the two years expected.
“Greenfield can’t afford a new library, a temporary fire station and a permanent fire station,” she said.
Later in the meeting, Stephanie Duclose echoed Morin’s concerns, adding that the city needs to get its budget under control and stop borrowing money.
“What do (taxpayers) do if the mayor has to ask for more money?” she asked. “What guarantees do we have? You’ll be driving people who are struggling out of their homes. … Taxpayers are going to have to foot the bill.”
Pete Brown began the comments of those who support the project and the money Mayor Roxann Wedegartner is asking for it.
“I strongly urge you to say ‘yes’ to the $6 million,” he told councilors. “These are tough times, uncertain times, and municipal finances are complicated, but staying in the current library and fire station is unsustainable. We’re going to spend a lot of money whether we build new or renovate. There’s no magical solution. We have to do this.”
Jennifer Stromsten, who serves on the city’s Temporary Fire Station Building Committee, said she understands the “super hard” position the council and taxpayers are put in, but the decision — and the project — can’t be “kicked down the road.”
“We have to deal with this,” she told councilors. “I hope you support the funding.”
Peter McIver, a firefighter and member of the same committee, said people and the city should not want to leave firefighters in a parking lot (as is the plan for the temporary station) or an unsafe building.
David Brock followed McIver by saying he thinks the process the city has followed has been good and transparent. He said the $6 million on top of the $10 million previously approved will be an investment that will see returns in public safety for decades.
Lynn Waldron and Marjorie Curtis both said they support the project, and Amy Moscaritolo, wife of David Moscaritolo, chair of the Temporary Fire Station Building Committee, said the council should be looking to the future and be forward-thinking.
“This is a moment in time,” she said. “Greenfield firefighters deserve your support.”
Several others followed by saying they “completely” support spending the money for firefighters.
“This is not an ideal situation, but I’m strongly in favor of building both fire stations and the library,” Donovan Eastman said. “We need to invest in a modern fire station.”
Jaimye Bartak said she supports the investment, but believes the city needs to boost the public’s confidence about the project.
Fire Chief Robert Strahan said the project is long overdue, and that managing firefighters in the current station is a challenge.
“It has been my home for 22 years,” he said. “I love being in it, but I have to think about protecting firefighters, think about their safety. And as a resident of Greenfield, I want the council to approve the funding.”
Reach Anita Fritz at 413-772-9591 or afritz@recorder.com.