New Bedford, Massachusetts

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey visited New Bedford's Fire Station 9, built in 1934, to highlight a $1.3 million provision in her $2.24 billion supplemental budget aimed at keeping the century-old firehouse staffed. The station had been slated for closure this fall as Mayor Jon Mitchell's administration confronts a $32 million city budget deficit, part of a broader plan that also included eliminating 58 unfilled positions and laying off 34 workers. The closure plan drew strong opposition from the firefighters' union after Mitchell sought to reduce staffing per truck from four to three.

Mitchell has committed to using the state funds to keep the station's engine in service, contingent on continued annual funding through the state's Municipal Public Safety Staffing program, which the mayor says has long unfairly excluded New Bedford. Healey expressed confidence the Legislature will approve the request and said she is exploring longer-term financing for aging public safety buildings statewide, modeled on the state's school building authority.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey visited New Bedford's Fire Station 9 on Monday, backing a $1.3 million line item in a supplemental appropriations bill that would keep the firehouse operating through the rest of the fiscal year. The station, which serves roughly 13,000 residents and nearby schools, has been running on $500,000 in state funding secured by Sen. Mark Montigny, money expected to run out by October or November.

Mayor Jon Mitchell's proposed budget earlier this year, aimed at closing a $32 million deficit, included closing Station 9. Healey said she expects continued state support for such stations in future years as revenue grows. Firefighters union president Bill Sylvia welcomed the potential funding but warned against treating public safety as just a budget line. Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue called the proposal a temporary fix, blaming state cuts to local aid. Mitchell, absent from the event, said through a spokesperson that the aid gives the city room to address pension and health insurance cost pressures. The funding bill remains under legislative review.