Englewood Proposed Firehouse to be Named After 'Dean of the Council'

A new $7.5 million firehouse that will replace the current 90 year old building in Englewood will be named after an honored councilman who passed away in 2012.

The Englewood Council, at a Dec. 17 meeting, proposed naming the new facility the "Jack Drakeford Firehouse," NorthJersey.com said in a report. Drakeford began his career as a firefighter in 1959, eventually moved on to serve as both city manager and city clerk simultaneously, and retired in 1994.

Drakeford, known as the 'Dean of the Council,' was first elected to Fourth Ward council in the 1970s. He later reelected to the body in 1999 and served until his death, according to NorthJersey.com.

Mayor Frank Huttle said on his website that he was happy the council decided to name the new firehouse after Drakeford. The 22,700 sq. ft. building will take two years to be completed.