By KENNEDY GRIFFIN
(Greenfield, MA) Mayor Roxann Wedegartner and Fire Chief Robert Strahan made a joint announcement on behalf of the City receiving a grant for $987,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These funds are to be used for the new fire station build, specifically for emergency medical services response and healthcare-related audio/visual equipment and a generator.
“With the latest cost estimates and contractor bids coming in significantly higher than originally expected, we are thankful to have this grant to help meet part of the increased costs. It will help ensure that Greenfield firefighters and the community get the fire station they deserve,” said Mayor Wedegartner. “I want to thank everyone in the city who helped get this grant together, the USDA and our congressional delegation for their advocacy on behalf of the City.
Supply chain issues and other factors, have raised the overall project budget to approximately $21.7 million. With design and procurement work well underway, the City expects to break ground on the new station, on Main Street near Coombs Avenue, sometime this fall. The Greenfield Fire Department expects to occupy its new building in late 2023.