Beacon's Firefighters Purchased and Hung Holiday Lights On New Firehouse

Holiday lights strung on the new City of Beacon firehouse. Lights were hung by the Beacon firefighters and purchased with their union dues through the City of Beacon’s Professional Firefighters (IAFF L-3490).
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

On the night of December 1st, 2025, during a City Council Meeting, residents learned that the City of Beacon Firefighters had purchased and hung the holiday lights shining brightly from the new Beacon firehouse.

This blogger, Katie Hellmuth, had gone down to the City Council Meeting that evening to deliver a Public Comment in support of the change in zoning requirement for 248 Tioronda, which allowed the developer to pursue building residential units on its remaining plot of land. Years ago, the City of Beacon changed its zoning law to require the property owner to develop commercial space for retail or business use. After years of trying, the developer did not find interested occupants, and requested a change of use for the zoning to allow residential apartments to be built instead, with an increased percentage of Below Market Rate (BMR) units available, honoring the Beacon City Council’s request.

At the end of this reporter’s comment in support of the zoning change, Katie remarked: “Also, the holiday lights on the firehouse and on this building look very nice.” In response, during the latter part of the meeting, City Administrator Chris White remarked that the City of Beacon’s Professional Firefighters (IAFF L-3490) had purchased the lights themselves, and hung them.

The City of Beacon’s Fire Chief Thomas Lucchesi confirmed to A Little Beacon Blog that the firefighters purchased and installed the lights using funds from their union dues. Chief Lucchesi added: “The firefighters typically decorate each year, but this is the first time they’ve been able to decorate the new firehouse—we were still getting settled in last holiday season.

“Our department has a great relationship with both the City and our residents, and the holiday season gives us an opportunity to share that sense of community in a simple but meaningful way. The firefighters take a lot of pride in the firehouse and in bringing a little extra holiday cheer to the neighborhood.”

The Professional Firefighters (IAFF L-3490) have confirmed that the new address of their new firehouse is 1140 Wolcott Avenue. The old address was 13 South Avenue, which as of this publishing, was listed in Google. Google may take time to update.

As a holiday reminder, the City of Beacon Firefighters are available to provide and install new fire alarms in your residence free of charge, courtesy of the Red Cross and of Chief Lucchesi reviving that program. Read more about that here or simply call them to request installation for all the necessary rooms in your residence: 845-831-1334.