SWAMPSCOTT — Fire Chief Graham Archer responded to concerns raised by community members during the permitting and approval process of the residential project, the Westcott.
The concerns were that the department’s ladder truck was not of adequate size or condition to be able to respond to a potential emergency at the apartment complex, formerly known as Elm Place.
The complex is described as a five-story, 114-unit, mixed-income, and transit-oriented community. It is slated to include 71 single-bedroom apartments, 28 two-bedroom apartments, 12 three-bedroom apartments, and three studio apartments when it officially opens next year.
Archer acknowledged the concerns, and denied that the truck was not big enough, saying that the department has even considered downsizing in the past.
“It’s a big truck, it’s really about as big as they come,” Archer said. “We have a 1,000-pound tip-loading, 100-foot aerial platform.”
He added that the building has advanced safety protocols in place, such as built-in standpipes and sprinklers. He asserted that the opinion of the fire department is that there is not any additional undue risk.
“Does that mean it’s impossible that nothing ever happens? No,” Archer said, rhetorically. “That building is no more inherently dangerous than 330 Paradise Road (the Landing at Vinnin Square) or Crown Pointe or anything else.”
While both Crown Pointe and the Landing have more units than the Westcott, the height of the building and its placement in a relatively dense location is what caused some of the concern.
Archer did, however, admit that the age of the ladder truck is an issue, and he has been trying to get the town to expedite the acquisition of a new one.
“We’ve been asking for a bigger one for a while now, but not because we need a bigger one,” Archer said.
