[quote name='The Kid' post='67473' date='Jan 14 2007, 16:47 ']Did they lose the men and stations through attrition? Or did it all happen at once? I'm amazed that two engines and a quint protect a city of that size. There's a fair amount of wealth and power in Beverly especially in parts of North Beverly and Centerville and, of course, Beverly Farms, with a soild downtown with occupied businesses and housing. Have the people near the closed stations complained, or were they pushing for the cuts and lower taxes? I lived in Beverly for 12 years, and somehow, since I moved away, the FD has been decimated. There has to be a good solid tax base there, so why and how did the FD get hit so hard?[/quote]
I know Ryal Side and Centerville were closed in 1992, I THINK there were layoffs at that point. Since then I do not believe there have been any, I guess since then the force was allowed to shrink down to the point that overtime was required to keep Ladder 1 in service 24/7. The cuts in state aid during the Romney administration casued this to become a problem. I'm sure my good friend Bob can shed much more light on the staffing issues than I can. I know it certainly is not because of lower taxes...my lastest tax bill can attest to that, LOL.
Since that time, Ladder 1 has been in service periodically, and during major storms. Often times spare Engines 2 and 4 are put into service during major storms as well.
I'm not sure how recently you lived in Beverly, but development has taken off over the last 15 or so years. The United Show was coverted into a massive office complex (Cummings Center) with many new structures added to the property as well. Downtown is thriving with shops and restaurants. There is a new road at the airport with several industrial buildings, as well as development at Cherry Hill. Enon street is busy with a new larger Stop and Shop, new strip mall where the Commodore was. Rampant development in the Essex st. area with many new homes. And another large expansion at Beverly Hopsital.
And now, Pisani's on Rantoul st. was taken down, and a new 5 story luxury condo building has been put up. With plans for 2 more large 7 story buildings. So Beverly is a growing, busy city. I too, am amazed at the cuts to fire protection over the years when you take into consideration the growth that has taken place.
I know Ryal Side and Centerville were closed in 1992, I THINK there were layoffs at that point. Since then I do not believe there have been any, I guess since then the force was allowed to shrink down to the point that overtime was required to keep Ladder 1 in service 24/7. The cuts in state aid during the Romney administration casued this to become a problem. I'm sure my good friend Bob can shed much more light on the staffing issues than I can. I know it certainly is not because of lower taxes...my lastest tax bill can attest to that, LOL.
Since that time, Ladder 1 has been in service periodically, and during major storms. Often times spare Engines 2 and 4 are put into service during major storms as well.
I'm not sure how recently you lived in Beverly, but development has taken off over the last 15 or so years. The United Show was coverted into a massive office complex (Cummings Center) with many new structures added to the property as well. Downtown is thriving with shops and restaurants. There is a new road at the airport with several industrial buildings, as well as development at Cherry Hill. Enon street is busy with a new larger Stop and Shop, new strip mall where the Commodore was. Rampant development in the Essex st. area with many new homes. And another large expansion at Beverly Hopsital.
And now, Pisani's on Rantoul st. was taken down, and a new 5 story luxury condo building has been put up. With plans for 2 more large 7 story buildings. So Beverly is a growing, busy city. I too, am amazed at the cuts to fire protection over the years when you take into consideration the growth that has taken place.
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