Fire Chief Andrew Mullin presents a grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to the council. Photo: Vivian Ainomugisha.
The City Council accepted a $17,150 state grant Monday night for the purchase of firefighting and safety equipment.
Fire Chief Andrew Mullin presented the grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security at Monday’s council meeting, noting that funds are in addition to a $135,000 grant received earlier this year. Under the grant, all equipment must be delivered by June 30. The city must approve the grant contract before any equipment can be ordered.
The City Council praised the Fire Department, along with police and EMS, for their work, noting that their response to a four-alarm High Street fire on April 1 “was a perfect example of your department and mutual aid saving people.”
Other CIty Council action
Councilor Sean T. Durkee addresses fellow council members – Photo: Vivian Ainomugisha
In other action at Monday’s meeting:
- Councilors discussed possible changes to the city’s regulations on private ways, aiming to address public safety concerns – particularly fire truck access during emergencies. Previous efforts to regulate parking and signage on private ways, such as Stanley Road, were blocked because of legal issues. The proposed changes would allow the Traffic Commission to take action on these matters and improve safety in situations where emergency vehicles struggle to access certain private roads.
- The council voted to approve a second reading of the city’s proposed regulations on accessory dwelling units, which moves the proposed ADU rules closer to a final vote. Councilors have been working to finalize the regulations over the past several months.
- The City Council approved street work at 64-66 Orange St. to allow for the installation of water, sewage and gas connections for a new residential building. The existing four-family home will be torn down and replaced, with construction expected to take about three months to complete. Street work will last two to three days, and the entire road will be repaved after the utility connections are completed. Orange Street is a one-way road in a busy area near restaurants and a funeral home. The petitioner agreed to follow city guidelines and use the proper procedures to notify the residents and businesses that will be affected.
- The council approved a resolution recognizing World Irritable Bowel Syndrome Day, observed April 17-19, to raise awareness for the disease. “Thank you to the court for showing that although it can be uncomfortable talking about this, it’s important because thousands of Waltham residents, and millions of Americans, suffer from this very serious condition,” said Ward 1 Councilor Anthony LaFauci, who introduced the resolution. LaFauci also cited the importance of the city’s biotech companies in developing breakthrough treatments, including companies such as Ardelyx, which developed an IBS medicine.
This story is part of a partnership between The Waltham Times and the Boston University Department of Journalism.