Milton Fire and EMS station dedication was full of emotion, gratitude

Herbret Downs Jr. exults holding a section of hose at a ribbon cutting to dedicate the new Milton Fire and EMS building on White Mountain Highway. With Downs is Fire and EMS Chief Nick Marique and Milton Selectman Mike Beaulieu. (Lebanon Voice photos)

MILTON - Surrounded by family, friends and hundreds of appreciative Milton residents, an emotional Herbert Downs Jr. choked back tears as he helped dedicate the Herbert Downs Fire and EMS Station in honor of his father, who for several years served as the town's fire chief.

Herbert Downs Jr. donated the land on which the town's glistening new stationhouse is located in 2010, with the stipulation that it be built within seven years.

Milton voters came through last year in the nick of time, and the rest is history. Fire crews moved into the new building last month.

Current Milton Fire and Rescue Chief Nick Marique emceed the official ribbon cutting (actually a fire hose uncoupling) Saturday as part of the festivities of Milton's Winter Carnival and a packed house filled several bays at the firehouse.

A large and appreciative crowd attended the ribbon cutting to dedicate the town's new Fire and EMS station.

Marique honored several handing out plaques of gratitude to former Fire Chief Andy Lucier, selectmen Tom Gray and Mike Beaulieu and others who had proved instrumental in bringing the $2.8 million dollar project to fruition.