Boston Fire Dept. in Hot Water Over Training House

The Boston Fire Department is in hot water with the city of Quincy after Hub firefighters built a two-story building on Moon Island in Boston Harbor but failed to obtain required permits with local officials, the Herald has learned.

'They do not have any permits for that building,' Chris Walker, spokesman for Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch, told the Herald last night. 'The city of Quincy would hope and expect that our friends in the city of Boston would follow the same rules as any landowner in the city of Quincy does.'

Walker said Quincy's Inspectional Services Department was notified recently of the construction of the new building and that Quincy officials will be slapping the BFD with a code violation for failure to secure a permit. The new building will also be inspected by Quincy officials, Walker said.

The two-story wooden structure was constructed adjacent to the BFD's existing training facility. Boston Fire spokesman Steve MacDonald said the building is a 'prop' that will be used for unspecified 'training.'

MacDonald had no information yesterday on who built the building, how it was paid for or why no permits were pulled.

The BFD also apparently did not notify the National Park Service or any other agency involved in overseeing the Harbor Islands.

Bruce Jacobson, superintendent of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, said authority over Moon Island, which is closed to the public, rests with Quincy. Jacobson said he was 'unaware' of the new building.

Quincy and Boston have feuded over Moon Island in the past. A proposed wind turbine on the island backed by Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino was rejected in February after opposition from Squantum residents.

Quincy residents have also complained of noise from the Boston police firing range on the island, while Boston was cited for environmental violations in the early 1990s for improperly clearing land for construction.

The two cities have also battled over the lack of public access to the island and responsibility for the dilapidated Long Island Bridge, which connects Moon Island and Long Island.