Newburyport, MA, Officially Opens New Fire Station

Nov. 1—NEWBURYPORT — With the smell of lumber and the distinctive sound of bagpipes in the air, more than 100 people crammed into the John F. Cutter Jr. Fire Station's roughly 2,200-square-foot garage on Friday to celebrate its grand opening.

In August 2023, the city broke ground on the 6,600-square-foot building that is dedicated to protecting the city's West End section. It replaces the 51-year-old, 2,258-square-foot West End fire station that no longer met fire codes.

"I think we hit a home run here, we really did," Fire Chief Stephen Bradbury III said of the $9.2 million building. "We're a substation and I think it fits in really good with the neighborhood."

The new station features a decontamination room — a laundry room — a fitness room — separate lockers for turnout gear and street clothes — separate bunk rooms — as well as three showers, where the Fire Department headquarters on Greenleaf Street only has one.

Over 100 first responders, stakeholders and guests including Mayor Sean Reardon, state Sen. Bruce Tarr, R- Gloucester and state Rep. Dawne Shand D- Newburyport, were on hand to witness the official opening.

"This fire station represents safety to our residents and businesses on this side of town but it's also about the safety, health and well-being of the firefighters that work and give their lives for the city of Newburyport," Reardon said.

The new fire station is the city's first net-zero building, meaning it is fully electrical and self-supporting, according to Reardon.

"This is our start here in Newburyport of (net-zero) public buildings," Reardon said.

The mayor also thanked West End neighbors for their patience during construction over the past year.

"These projects aren't easy," he said. "We also finished a major ($4.4 million neighborhood and drainage improvement project) across the way on Phillips Drive. That's tough for neighbors, so I really want to thank them for their patience and working with our team."

Bradbury praised the work of his predecessor, former Fire Chief Christopher LeClaire, who he said was at the forefront of the building project when it began about five years ago.

Bradbury also thanked former Mayor Donna Holaday, who was in attendance, for her support.

"(She was) there from day one," he said.

During construction of the new fire station, the entire department has been stationed out of the Greenleaf Street headquarters.

Reardon thanked the city's firefighters for putting up with the inconvenience for just over a year.

"I'm hearing it's just about time to get them out of there," he said.

The mayor also praised the work of senior project manager Geordie Vining, who shepherded the project for the city.

"This is a good day," Vining said. "I have been working on this, pretty much every day for the past five or six years."

City councilors in attendance included Ward 5 City Councilor Jim McCauley and at-Large Councilors Ed Cameron and Connie Preston.

Cameron said the new fire station is proof the city doesn't take its first responders for granted.

"The station is a commitment from us the taxpayers and it was one of the few easy votes by the City Council," he said. "We value everything that you do."

As proof the city doesn't forget its own, the building is named for the late John F. Cutter Jr., a career member of the Newburyport Fire Department who retired as assistant chief.

His late son, John F. "Jack" Cutter III and his late grandson, Stephen both later served Newburyport as fire chiefs. Two of his grandchildren and one of his great-grandsons are currently serving Newburyport as firefighters, with another great-grandson serving in the police department, according to the city.

Cutter's granddaughter, Susan Stanwood Walton, Shand and Tarr also spoke during the ceremony.

"Today is a great day to celebrate and to elevate the legacy of the fire service here in the city of Newburyport," Tarr said.

The ceremony included the swearing in of firefighters Ryan Aghoian and Matt Thurlow, as well as the promotion of call firefighter John Cutter Jr. to call lieutenant.

Located just outside the station, the Firefighter Tony Raven Memorial was also rededicated in honor of the 30-year-plus department veteran who passed away in April 2016, soon after battling a fire.

Those craving a closer look at the new fire station will get their chance soon, according to Bradbury, who announced he would be organizing an open house in the near future.

Staff writer Jim Sullivan covers Newburyport for The Daily News. He can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at 978-961-3145. Follow him on Twitter @ndnsully.

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