The debate over whether to keep a New Bedford fire station in operation continued this week.

 

During a special meeting Tuesday night, the city council said it wants answers about the future of Station 9.

 

Mayor Jon Mitchell suggested closing the Ashley Boulevard station and letting go of recently hired firefighters back in May in an effort to close a $32 million budget gap. He said the city can no longer afford to staff nine fire companies at the current levels without addressing long-term health care and pension costs.

 

Mitchell did not attend Tuesday’s meeting since he was out of town, according to his spokesperson, but the mayor’s office sent a designee on his behalf.

 

Council members made some strong statements toward Mitchell, saying they’ve been in the dark about his intentions for Station 9.

 

In a motion that passed, Councilman Shane Burgo called on Mitchell to explain his plans and priorities.

 

“I’d like to make a motion to request the mayor inform the

city council, fire department, and most importantly, the general public what plans he has for the nearly $2 million that he currently has in the tax levy and to explain why the plan is more important than keeping Engine 9 in operation,” Burgo said during the meeting.

 

Mitchell’s spokesperson, Neil Mello, said the mayor has made roughly half a dozen attempts to adopt health care-related reforms, and the city council has also approved increases in pension benefits three or four times, despite the mayor recommending otherwise.

 

Station 9 is currently being kept open with $500,000 in state funding secured by state Sen. Mark Montigny. But since it costs about $1.8 million a year to operate, Mello said that will only allow it to operate until October or November.

 

Mitchell’s office said if the council wants to have a serious policy discussion about health care and pension costs, the mayor’s door is wide open.

 

See more at wpri.com.