Board of Selectmen |
December 7, 2009 |
Regular Meeting |
Selectmen’s Hearing Room, Town Hall |
Present: |
Robert P. MacKendrick, Chairman |
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Arthur J. Bourque III, Selectman |
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Al Merritt, Selectman |
Chairman MacKendrick called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Report from Chief Dunn on Police Department
Interim Police Chief Joseph Dunn provided an update on activities in the Police Department since he took over the chief position. He said many changes have been made during his first 100 days as chief and said he hoped to see continued improvements with the support of the town administrator and men and women of the department.
At the police station, a multi-purpose room for the patrolmen was created with the assistance of the Department of Public Works and new radio equipment is being installed and in a newly renovated dispatch center, which will provide for better security for department personnel. He thanked Keith Hammerbeck of the DPW and Fire Lt. Alan McDonald for their assistance in the latter project.
The department’s first detectives were appointed with the cooperation of the involved officers and the police union with minimal budgetary impact. Sgt. Sean Donovan, who was also appointed the school resource officer and court officer was the first detective, and Patrolman Anthony Hnath has also been assigned investigatory duties.
The department’s four sergeants are receiving command training, a shortcoming pointed out in the recent study of the department prepared by BadgeQuest. Two have received training and two are scheduled for training. Two officers are also receiving firearms training in anticipation of Chief Dunn’s retirement, as he has served as the department’s armorer for years. Patrolman Nicholas Secatore has also been reviewing and updating the department’s sidearms and handling firearms training.
Chief Dunn said he is working with Superintendent of Schools Robert Hassett and his staff on school-related issues. He has also directed a formation of a committee to standardize equipment in the police cruisers, and is working on installation of mobile data terminals in the cruisers. This should be completed by the end of the year.
Selectman Merritt asked about the command training offered. Chief Dunn said that two sergeants had been sent for management training at Roger Williams University and the other two will receive command training through Northeast Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC).
Selectman Merritt said that he toured the station on Friday and saw the improvements made there. Chief Dunn said that additional video cameras will assist in protecting personnel, as there are times when there are no officers in the station and dispatchers are the lone personnel there.
Selectman Bourque asked about the state of the firearms collection, and said it is likely funds for new firearms will be needed in upcoming fiscal years. Chief Dunn said many of the department’s firearms should be replaced. He said existing firearms have been repaired.
Chief Dunn said that the paper fingerprinting system is now seen as outdated and a new fingerprint machine will be a priority, as well as records management, when funds become available.
Selectman Bourque asked about plans to have bicycle patrols. Chief Dunn said that he plans to pout bicycle racks on cruisers so that the bicycles can be used for school functions, parades and other events and to access areas such as the rear of the center stores, where youths congregate.
Selectman Merritt asked about the mobile data terminals. Chief Dunn said that while the terminals are expensive, they allow officers pulling over motor vehicle to access information about the owner or operator before exiting the vehicle and without relying on radio communication with the dispatcher, who may be handling another call. He hopes to have a terminal in each of the patrol cruisers and a portable terminal for the detectives.
Chairman MacKendrick thanked Chief Dunn for his report and asked him to express the Board’s appreciation to his department members for their cooperation.
Report from Chief Lennon on Fire Department
Interim Fire Chief Francis Lennon provided an update on activities in the Fire Department since he took over the chief position. Chief Lennon said he was fortunate to take over a department that was in great shape. He did not feel any major changes needed to be implemented.
Chief Lennon said the current fiscal year budget is on track despite a 10 percent increase in overall calls. Emergency medical service transports are up 30 percent, with $600,000 in total revenue predicted this year from this service.
Chief Lennon said he has formed a transition committee to take up the issue of replacing firefighters who are at retirement age. The committee consists of three call firefighters and one permanent firefighter, and a list of nine call department officer candidates has been compiled. He is looking into training for new officer candidates. One course may be offered in Lynnfield, and would be held two nights per week, with duration of “a couple of months.” He said he wants to have a period of overlap in which new officers can work with the officers who will be retiring. He hopes to have this task completed by the end of June.
Selectman Bourque asked Chief Lennon to outline the retirement issue for the public. Chief Lennon said the Town received information that the mandatory retirement age of firefighters (age 65) applies to call firefighters as well as permanent firefighters. Four call firefighters are age 65 or older, one of whom is retiring at the end of this month after 50 years of service. Two other firefighters are approaching retirement age.
Selectman Merritt asked if the Town has good internal candidates to replace the retiring officers. Chief Lennon said the call force has many experienced firefighters.
Chairman MacKendrick said that he knows a number of firefighters who are well qualified to serve as officers and who have had the opportunity to be in charge of a piece of apparatus at a fire. He said that the new officers who would receive course training would have benefits that he and Chief Lennon did not.
Selectman Bourque asked about current staffing issues. Chief Lennon said that Captain Michael Feinberg was appointed to his current position when Captain Harold Hall retired. The paramedic position in being filled by three call firefighters/paramedics when they are available.
Selectman Bourque asked if this person was in addition to the firefighters who are assigned to the ambulance on a 24-hour basis. When told it was, he asked why this additional firefighter was no necessary. Chief Lennon said that before becoming a captain on the permanent force, Capt. Feinberg was working a three-day schedule on the ambulance side. He was busy on the phone to doctors, hospitals and insurance companies. With his move to the permanent force, he has taken on additional duties, including planning, inspection and training, and is not available to handle many advanced life support (ALS) calls.
Chief Lennon noted that the Town is operation an ALS ambulance service with a state Department of Public Health waiver and that the force is seeking to add more firefighter/paramedics to meet the state’s requirements. Selectman Merritt asked if the Town is near a point where it can become a full ALS operation with the waiver. Chief Lennon said the department is not ready to increase staffing to that point.
In response to questions about the number of ambulance runs and collection of bills for ambulance service, Capt. Feinberg said that the number has grown from 650 annually to about 700 last year and a projected 825 this year. He said that the Town is collecting about 94 percent of accounts, and that allowed reimbursement levels for Medicare and Medicaid had increased.
Fire Chief Job Description Committee
Town Administrator William Gustus noted that the creation of a job description for the fire chief was among the recommendations of the report on Fire Department management, organization and operations by Emergency Response Systems of Kingston. He proposed a committee consisting of Chairman MacKendrick, who had asked to serve due to his long experience with the department; Mr. Gustus, due to his experience in municipal government; Chief Lennon; Finance Committee member Robert Cleary, who is also a director of human resources at a large firm, and Austin Sennett, president of Emergency Response Systems and a retired fire chief.
On the motion of Selectman Bourque, seconded by Selectman Merritt, the Board voted to appoint Robert MacKendrick, William Gustus, Francis Lennon, Robert Cleary and Austin Sennett to the newly formed Fire Chief Job Description Committee.
Approval of minutes
On the motion of Selectman Merritt, seconded by Selectman Bourque, the Board approved the minutes of the November 30, 2009 meeting as presented.
Volunteers needed for Town boards and committees
Chairman MacKendrick said that the following Town boards and committees have one or more vacancies: Finance Committee, Recreation Commission, Cultural Council, Conservation Commission, Board of Appeals (alternate), Public Works Advisory Committee, Communications Advisory Committee, Personnel Board, Drainage Committee, Recreational Path Committee. Volunteers are being sought to fill these positions, and interested residents may send a letter of interest or resume to the Selectmen’s Office in Town Hall.
Mr. Gustus said that some of these committees are more active than others, but all serve important functions.
Selectman Bourque expressed concern that many elected and appointed members of boards and committees are getting older and that relatively few members of the next generation are coming forward to serve. He issued a challenge to parents of school-aged children to volunteer, saying service to the Town is enjoyable and rewarding, and an opportunity to learn about how the Town government works. Service on these committees can also prepare residents to serve on boards such as the Board of Selectmen and School Committee. Selectman Bourque said it is a privilege to serve the Town is such a capacity. Many residents have a wealth of knowledge and experience that he would like to see brought to bear on behalf of the Town.
Chairman MacKendrick said that one of the benefits of volunteering in Town is that the citizens are well informed, reasonable and aware of how Town government works. He said the Town has many good people serving it in paid and unpaid positions. He urged those interested in serving in contacting the Selectmen’s Office.
Resident Patricia Campbell of Patrice Lane asked about the status of the Personnel Board.
Mr. Gustus said there are two members and three vacancies on this committee. The Personnel Board advises the Board of Selectmen on personnel matters and assists the town administrator with developing data on salaries and benefits to ensure the Town’s compensation packages are comparable to those offered in similar communities. The Personnel Board also assists with providing statistical data required by the federal government, and can consult with town officials on the collective bargaining process. The board does not have as much authority since the adoption of the consolidated personnel bylaw, and no longer has a role in the grievance process.
Other business
Mr. Gustus reminded residents about the special US Senate primary election to be held on Tuesday, December 8.
Mr. Gustus also reminded residents about the Budget Summit, an open meeting of the Board of Selectmen, to be held on Wednesday, December 9, at 7:00 p.m. at the Senior Center.
Chairman MacKendrick said that despite poor weather, there was a good turnout for the Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Historical Society Country Store, Gingerbread House Decorating Competition and the Lynnfield Art Guild Show, all held on Saturday, December 5. He congratulated all those involved in making that day’s events a success.
On the motion of Selectman Bourque, seconded by Selectman Merritt, the Board voted to adjourn at 7:54 p.m.
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