To the editor:
Reading the edition of the Item Tuesday, March 21, I found the write-up of candidate Todd Bacon for Ward 1 Council seat interesting.
In it, he makes reference to re-opening the former E-11 fire station on Lynnfield Street. His reasoning is the increase in traffic and the construction of a senior housing center at the former Union Hospital site.
For over a year, I have written letters to the Item pushing for the re-opening of that station and the construction of a new public safety building on the Lynnway, housing a fully-manned pump and ladder and a police substation.
In fact, in one of my letters last fall prior to the election, I asked candidates for mayor and City Council a question: Do you support a new facility on the Lynnway? The answer was silence.
While I don’t live in Ward 1, I applaud Mr. Bacon for his position. I believe the time has come for new faces.
I fully recognize the city has many important projects. However, public safety should be a top priority — not only for the protection of citizens, but also for the personnel that serve in the positions of firefighters and police officers.
The station at 625 Lynnfield St. had a new 1000 GPM Buffalo pump when it opened in 1931. It was supposed to be a mutual aid station supported by Lynn, Peabody, and Lynnfield. Due to the Depression, Peabody and Lynnfield had to drop their financial support.
The Lynnfield Street station was closed many years ago due to financial constraints. It now houses other Fire Department operations.
To the candidates for City Council this year, be prepared for the same question I asked last fall. Voters have a right to know your answer.
Writers note: F.D. history information was obtained through the Lynn F.D. website.
Respectfully,
John S. Norton
Lynn resident
