Middleboro BOS Meeting Selects A Fire Chief

The Brockton Enterprise reported on the selection of the new Middleboro Fire Chief. If you didn't attend the meeting, it's worth watching the re-run on cable.

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Fellow blogger, Bellicose Bumpkin has commented on the Matrix Report that was discussed at the meeting and is a related issue, that of a town owned ambulance service. This represents a major expense to the Town - an expense the Town has no money to fund. Under the circumstances, it would seem important that residents fully understand the numbers tossed around.

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Middleboro picks new fire chief
Middleboro selectmen pass over Halifax fire chief and hire N.H. man
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MIDDLEBORO —
Middleboro’s gain is not Halifax’s loss, as Middleboro selectmen on Wednesday hired a fire chief from out of state.

Michael W. Carrier, a former chief of Londonderry, N.H., was chosen by a majority of board members.

Other finalists were Halifax Fire Chief Lance Benjamino and Michael A. Walker, current chief of Pelham, N.H., who received support from Selectman Marsha L. Brunelle.

Selectman Steven P. Spataro failed in an attempt to convince board members to consider a commissioner of public works instead of hiring a fire chief. At first, Spataro said he would abstain from the vote on a new chief because he opposed filling the position and spending money the town didn’t have.

However, later in the meeting, he joined Selectman Patrick E. Rogers lobbying for Carrier.
Selectman Muriel C. Duphily did not vote as her husband is a call fireman.

Before Carrier can take over the position, currently held by Police Chief Gary J. Russell, a contract still must be negotiated with Town Manager Charles J. Cristello and approved by selectmen.

Firefighters filled the meeting room as selectmen made their decision.

“I’m glad they came to a conclusion, stayed the course and went with a chief,” said union chief Richard Cummings, a fire lieutenant.

Selectmen also heard an evaluation of the town’s Fire Department by Travis Miller of Matrix Consulting Group Ltd. The 46-page draft report contained recommendations for expanding fire protection and having a town-run ambulance service. The report is posted on the Resort Advisory Committee’s Web site, http://www.resortcommittee.com

Miller said that for the town to increase fire protection and man the south and north stations it would cost $1.28 million. But that cost would drop to $811,552 if the town includes an ambulance service, by eliminating an annual $250,000 payment to a private ambulance service and collecting revenue.

The cost increases to $1.5 million if a casino with a tribal fire department is added and escalates to $2.7 million without a tribal fire department.

The Resort Advisory Committee will use the report to come up with recommendations for selectmen. Selectmen acknowledged the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has agreed to purchase the first two ambulances to start the service and said it is likely they will revisit the clause in the town and tribal intergovernmental agreement if the added costs of an ambulance service are not self-supporting.