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Middleboro police and fire seek more manpower

The requests, if all were approved, would cost more than $870,000 a year

By Eileen Reece
Enterprise correspondent Posted Mar. 24, 2014 @ 2:05 am
Updated at 2:08 AM

MIDDLEBORO – The police and fire departments are seeking to add 17 employees, which would increase the town budget by $870,213.

Police Chief Bruce Gates said overall crime was up this year and is seeking to add a detective with an annual salary of $62,793.

“Due to the increase in felonies and narcotics, an additional detective is needed to assist with the increased work load,” Gates wrote in his budget request.

Gates also requested five more full-time and two part-time dispatchers to free up police officers who now share that duty.

“If dispatchers replace sworn officers, there will be a 20 percent increase in officers available for patrol duties,” Gates told selectmen.

Gates is also seeking an additional $100,000 for overtime; $16,000 for schools and training; $3,500 to cover the cost increase of tires; and $1,000 for office and stationery.

Fire Chief Lance Benjamino is seeking $444,984 to add eight firefighters, stating that his staffing level of 28 firefighters has remained unchanged for nearly 30 years.

He said the workload continues to increase with run volumes up 7.5 percent last year and an additional 7 percent this year. Inspections were up 12.5 percent last year and an additional 15 percent this year. And permitting was up 1 percent last year and an additional 13 percent this year.

Benjamino said lack of staff has kept the South Fire Station and North Fire Station unmanned with only the Central Fire Station fully operational.

“Our response times with the North and South stations unmanned are unacceptable and unsafe for the firefighters and citizens,” Benjamino stated in his funding request.

Of the calls that came into the fire station last year, the Central Fire Station responded to 58.19 percent; calls from North Middleboro were 18.5 percent; calls from East Middleboro were 9.49 percent; calls from South Middleboro were 12.28 percent; and mutual aid was 1.5 percent. EMS calls dropped by 20 last year.

Benjamino also requested the town add either a deputy chief at $72,384 or a lieutenant at $76,214 to handle administrative functions, including assisting in grant writing.

Selectmen had high praise for Benjamino, who is entering his sixth year as fire chief after previously serving as fire chief in Halifax.

“I know you bring in a lot of grant money. If it’s possible, I’d like to find a way to get this (deputy chief),” said Selectman John Knowlton.

“You are doing an excellent job. It is our job to support you. We are going to find a way. We have to do that,” said selectmen Chairman Stephen McKinnon of the deputy position.

Selectmen voted unanimously to support the request of Benjamino and also to recognize late Fire Lt. David Brier in the annual town report. Brier, 50, died last July, 10 days after suffering a heart attack at the conclusion of a 24-hour shift.

In other action, selectmen met with Veterans Agent Paul Provencher who asked for an office clerk at $30,000 due to increased workload.

“I am getting tired. I don’t know how much longer I am going to do this,” said Provencher, noting his case load increased from 5 cases when he was hired 12 years ago to 65 cases last year.

In other action, selectmen voted 3-2 to support a motion by selectmen Vice Chairman Allin Frawley to send a letter to the state requesting it not proceed with plans to close the Taunton State Hospital.

Knowlton and Selectman Ben Quelle voted against the motion with Frawley, McKinnon and Selectwoman Leilani Dalpe voting in favor of the motion to send a letter of support to keep the Taunton State Hospital open.

Selectmen voted to approve an earth-removal permit for property located at 288 Thompson St., to construct a cranberry bog and a water supply/tailwater pond.

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