BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) As a smoky haze settled over Buffalo Wednesday morning, the crew of the Buffalo fireboat Edward M. Cotter assembled
at the dock on Ohio Street with a little extra bounce in their step.
A check for $75-hundred dollars was presented by local company
Veolia, which manages the Buffalo Water Authority.
"This boat takes our crews out to help us do our maintenance at the Buffalo Round House, which is the intake for the water system. This is a vital piece of our operation," said Veolia Manager Christopher Halleron. "We're happy to support it. It's an impressive vessel."
The donation will go directly to "Cotterfest," a public celebration of
Buffalo's beloved fireboat, taking place June 25 at Buffalo Riverworks.
Money raised at Cotterfest will benefit the Cotter, which is the oldest working fireboat in the world. At 123 years old, donations are needed to maintain the ship for years to come.
"Veolia has been extremely generous," said Cotter Conservancy President
Larry Cobado. "We have a long relationship with Buffalo Water since the early 1900's and we've been taking Veolia out since 2010, allowing their crews to
perform necessary maintenance on the Round House, which provides water
for all of Erie County. We provide the transportation."
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The Cotter is not just historic to the city of Buffalo. It continues to be a working fireboat.
"It's an ice breaker with firefighting capabilities," noted Cobado. "It's a fully
fledged tug boat. It's able to tow, break ice, put out fires and transport personnel and equipment when needed."
Cotterfest is a full day of games, music, food and drink on Sunday June 25 from 1-5pm. The Greater Buffalo Firefighters Pipes and Drums will be playing, along with South City Band. There will be basket raffles and 50/50 drawings.
You can buy tickets here.
"We're going to raise much needed funds to keep this boat around for another 123 years," said Cobado.
The Veolia crew was aboard the Cotter to make another trip to the Round House after the check presentation on Wednesday.