Baker Hill Road District Gifting Lanesborough $150,000 for Police, EMS Building
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Baker Hill Road District has agreed to gift the town $150,000 for the purchase of land for a combined police and ambulance building, pending approval by taxpayer vote.
The district's prudential committee voted to give the gift at its meeting last week. The Police Station Building Committee, which the Select Board formed earlier this year, has spent much of the last few months preparing with Architect Brian Humes for when a final site is determined.
After finding a temporary space for officers in June, the committee expressed several issues with a new station at the former location, 8 Prospect St., eventually deciding to look at other potential options. EMS Director Jennifer Weber also recently joined the committee, as the group works to add ambulance services to the project.
Committee Chair Kristen Tool said the $150,000 gift should allow the town to find a suitable property without creating an additional tax burden.
"I am grateful to BHRD for their gift and continued work in supporting emergency services in Lanesborough," Tool said in a statement.
Since the construction of the mall in 1989, the Town and District have had a Police and Fire Services contract, through which the district makes an annual payment to cover the added costs of having the Berkshire Mall facility in Lanesborough. As a result of the recent sale of the Berkshire Mall, the district has recovered all unpaid taxes and a significant interest payment assessed on the delinquent tax.
In a statement, the district said it is proud to continue to partner with and strengthen its relationship with the community and public safety officials in town.
Tags: ambulance service, Berkshire Mall, police station,
