By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Greenfield, MA) John S. Passiglia, Chair of the Greenfield Historical Commission, said the current standing fire station in Greenfield is placed on a property that used to house the Leavitt-Hovey house, a home built in 1797. That house, said Passiglia, was renovated in 1909 to become the library.
“The station, while very cool looking, is a stylized replica of an old fashion building. It is poured concrete and steel and really just made to be a functional garage and housing for the firemen,” said Passiglia.
Despite an addition in 1999 adding an area to accommodate a ladder truck, a new fire station is warranted due to the old design. Some of the historic elements of the station, like the cupola and weathervane that Passiglia restored personally, are among the items that will be preserved. Other items that will move to the new facility include a brass fireman’s pole, historical photos and other collectible memorabilia, the horse drawn pumper, and an alarm device.
“I toured the building with the chief and we made a list of such items deemed worth saving,” explained Passiglia.
The Greenfield Fire Department will be moving into temporary barracks to accommodate the construction of a new library. A new fire station will be built on Main Street.