Select Board Backs Lakeshore Drive as Capital Priority

Select Board · Meeting of September 14, 2026

Bellingham eyes $15.2 million fire station as master plan flags $51 million in needs. Fire Chief Miller and Deputy Chief Kim presented an 18-month facilities study finding the north station response area, roughly 21.5 percent of calls, waits up to 12 minutes for backup against a six-minute national standard, with 245 overlapping calls since July 1. "It's all three... apparatus, we could make work if we have the facilities... it's staffing," Miller said.

Separately, Gallagher consultants told the board Bellingham's self-insured health plan absorbed a 16.9 percent increase this year after paying out more than $11 million in claims against 969 covered lives. The board also voted unanimously to prioritize the long-stalled Lakeshore Drive road, drainage and water main project using a phased approach, and awarded a $233,150.30 MassDOT-funded sidewalk accessibility contract on Blackstone Street.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
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• The complete report — 3,593 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of September 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.