WESTBROOK — Prior to Monday night, the road running parallel to the Fire Department side of the Public Safety Building had no name.
The City Council on Feb. 6 voted to name the short strip of road after Fire Capt. William Hartley, the only Westbrook crew member to have died from fighting a fire. The name of the road, Capt. Bill Hartley Avenue, took effect immediately following council action.
“We’re very grateful, obviously for Capt. Hartley’s service to the city, and for us it’s one of our own,” Fire Chief Andrew Turcotte said.
The road, which is 516 feet long, runs between Main Street and the Westbrook Arterial. It has never had a name, according to City Administrator Jerre Bryant. No businesses or homes are located on the street so addresses have never been an issue.
Hartley was injured on July 7, 1944, when a falling chimney struck his head while he was fighting a fire at a farm on County Road. He died as a result of his injuries a couple months later on Sept. 12.
Turcotte said Hartley deserves the recognition he’s receiving and wishes the road naming could have happened sooner.
“I think it’s long overdue,” he said. “I know it’s been in the works for a number of years.”
Hartley was recently recognized by the Fire Department at an anniversary party it held Jan. 21. Hartley’s family members were in attendance and were told of the plan to plan to name the street after him.
Turcotte said Hartley has a few sons who still live in the southern Maine area and they and their children were pleased to hear of the honor.
“I think the family was very humbled and very grateful that the city was naming a street after their late father and grandfather,” he said.
Westbrook has one other street named after a former city employee. Harnois Avenue is named for former Police Chief Pierre Harnois, who died May 14, 1959, after being shot in the line of duty.
Turcotte said the street sign has been ordered for Capt. Bill Hartley Avenue and will be erected soon. A formal dedication ceremony will held in late spring.
Recognizing people who gave their life protecting the city is very important, Turcotte said. He said he hopes the naming of the street reminds and educates people of Hartley’s service.
“As time passes, memories do, too, and this will be a great way for people to remember Capt. Hartley,” Turcotte said.
Kate Gardner can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 125 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @katevgardner.
Former Westbrook Fire Capt. William Hartley, who died from injuries sustained while fighting a fire, now has the road between Main Street and the Westbrook Arterial named after him.
The 516-foot previously unnamed road that runs parallel to the Westbrook Public Safety building has been named Captain Bill Hartley Avenue.
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