Webster, N.Y. - In the 1980s, firefighters in Webster hoped to build a boat launch for its rescue watercraft. The idea was to build something that could house its boats, and save money that had spent to rent space. The massive Christmas Eve fire and shooting that claimed the lives of two firemen near 191 Lake Road helped bring back the boat launch idea.
"It's one of many ideas that have been floated out as a result of the Christmas Eve incident as far as memorials, what can be done," said Al Sienkiewicz, spokesman for the department.
Ideally, Sienkiewicz said the department would purchase the land where gunman, William Spengler had lived, 191 Lake Road. The house belonged to his sister, Cheryl Spengler. Authorities have said that she did not have any local relatives.
"It would facilitate our getting our boats in the water," said Sienkiewicz. "It would provide security for our boats.
The boats are housed for the winter at West Webster's station two on Backus Road.
During the summer, one is on Lake Road; the other is at a separate site nearby.
For a rescue boat launch to be built, the department would need to acquire land from one of the Lake Road property owners, according to Sienkiewicz. It would not likely happen soon.
Spengler "Perch" Sold
The Town of Webster purchased the land where William Spengler hid while firing upon firefighters and police on Christmas Eve.
Oklahoma Beach owned the property, and sold the narrow strip of land to the town in the past month, according to Town Supervisor Ronald Nesbitt.
Town leaders plan to incorporate the space into its trail system, according to Nesbitt.
