Prior to answering a string of questions about Bothell’s proposed annexation last night, Mayor Mark Lamb held a mail card in his hand that featured a Monopoly photo on one side and a message on the other: “No Agreement to Keep Local Fire Station 73 Open.”

“With Fire Station 73, we now have perfect clarity,” he told the crowd at Parkridge Community Church. “We have an interlocal agreement with Fire District 7, which was just sent out today that will deal with the staffing of that station. It’s going to be staffed by us, it’s going be taken care of by us and the jobs that are at issue are going to be protected.”

“This postcard is no longer true — if it ever was true,” he added.

The agreement says that if annexation is approved, the city will hire 10 employees that may be laid off by Snohomish County Fire District 7 as a result of the annexation, and the city will own and operate Station 73, located at 22225 45th Ave. S.E.

“This agreement further demonstrates Bothell’s ongoing commitment to ensure that high-quality (around-the-clock) public-safety services will be provided should voters decide to vote for annexation,” said City Manager Bob Stowe.

“I wanted to share that news with the people here that Bothell has worked very, very collaboratively with other governments,” said Lamb, who noted that Bothell also has interlocal agreements with Snohomish County and Fire District 10.

The North East and West of Bothell Annexation (NEWBA) area is currently serviced by three fire districts: Snohomish County Fire Districts 1, 10 and 7.

Fire District 1 chose not to sign a proposed interlocal agreement the city sent it this month.