By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – The Marlborough Fire Department has received grants for FY2016 Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) and a Senior SAFE grant from the Department of Fire Services State Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. An award of $5,937 for the SAFE grant and $3,115 for Senior SAFE were announced to the City Council at the Feb. 8 meeting. Fire Chief Kevin J. Breen asked for and received council approval of the funding.
In praising the success of the SAFE program, State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan stated in a communication to Chief Breen, that since the creation of the program child fire deaths have been reduced by 70 percent annually. Two years ago the SAFE program was expanded to offer funds to local communities in support of senior fire prevention training.
“Seniors are the most vulnerable of populations at risk of fire related deaths,” he said. “Senior SAFE is aimed at educating seniors on fire prevention, general home safety and how to be better prepared in the event of a fire.”
In other business, councilors approved the establishment of a parking space in front of the police station to establish a “safe zone” to accommodate residents engaging in buying, selling and trading items through websites. The recommendation made by was approved by Police Chief Mark Leonard who said the front parking lot at the Bolton Street Station was currently under video surveillance and would not require purchasing additional cameras or other equipment.
The Operations and Oversight Committee conferred with City Solicitor Donald Ryder Jr. for any potential legal ramifications during their study of the proposal and he assured them that the city could move forward without concern. Residents are being urged to use the “safe zone” during daylight hours.