Photo: James Rojas/ WBZ NewsRadio
NORTH READING, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A new path North of Boston is designed to help firefighters more safely respond to emergencies in the local woodlands.
For years firefighters from North Reading, Middleton and Lynnfield had to cross a bridge over the Ipswich River to respond to emergencies in Willis Woods, but it was recently discovered that the bridge was no longer safe.
“We couldn’t bring or risk bringing a heavy structural pump across like we had in the past to provide water,” North Reading Fire Chief Don Stats said.
In response to this, the three fire departments collaborated with Middleton-based private company Bostik Inc, which owns the main access point into the woods, to create a new public path.
The new path spans about two miles through Middleton, Lynnfield and North Reading. Stats said Bostik paid for the project because it still owns the property.
“It does nothing but serve the public better,” Stats said.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.