By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
Burlington’s Wisconsin National Guard armory will no longer house a detachment starting in 2015.
The Burlington unit 457th CBR Company (Chemical, Biological, Radiological) will consolidate with the rest of the company in Hartford, according to Wisconsin National Guard spokesman Captain Joe Trovato.
Trovato said the Wisconsin National Guard created a re-stationing committee, and made decisions on “what made sense on a day-to-day basis.”
The closure is expected for late 2015.
Mayor Bob Miller expressed disappointment, but understanding regarding the decision with the unit, which has existed in one form or another for at least 30 years.
“I’m disappointed it’s happening. It was nice having a guard unit here,” Miller said. “But I also understand the reasoning behind it.”
Trovato said there are 112 members in the 457th, of which there are currently 75 stationed in the Burlington detachment.
Trovato said that the National Guard will maintain ownership of the building, as well as its commitment to keep up the building and its grounds.
“Most likely, the facility in Burlington will be closed to community events,” he added.
The Burlington closure is part of a larger plan across Wisconsin to reorganize and consolidate operations. The National Guard will also vacate an armory in Richland Center, while armories in Merrill and Baraboo will lose their units but remain open for the recruit sustainment program.
A once-closed armory in Berlin will reopen. The changes will start later this year, and be complete in late 2015, according to a press release.
Several other companies will consolidate as well. For the full press release at http://dma.wi.gov/dma/news/2014news/14068.asp.
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