Chichester Board of Selectmen SELECTMEN'S MINUTES
May 10, 2007
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Colbert, Selectman MacCleery, Selectman DeBold and Administrator Lisa Stevens.
Chairman Colbert opened the meeting at 5:00pm.
SUBJECT: Fire Department Disputes
PRESENT: Fire Chief Gilbert Vien
The Board of Selectmen scheduled this meeting to meet with the Chief to discuss the letter received by the Board from Mr. & Mrs. Matt Cole and the correspondence the Chief sent to Captain Stock.
Motion Chairman Colbert and second by Selectman MacCleery to enter into non-public session at 5:03pm, pursuant to RSA 91: A-3, II (c) for matters which if discussed in public would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person. The Chairman called for the vote. Colbert - yes; DeBold - yes; MacCleery - yes. All were in favor. Motion carries.
The Board returned to open session at 6:15pm.
Motion Selectman MacCleery second by Selectman DeBold to seal the minutes of the non-public session for twenty-five (25) years. The Chairman called for the vote. DeBold - yes; MacCleery – yes; Colbert - yes. All were in favor. Motion carries.
BOARD DISCUSSION:
Chairman Colbert asked Chief Vien in what capacity was Paul Sanborn at the brush fire on Tuesday, is he not still retired from the department? Paul told the Fire Chief he was hired by Forest Warden Stock to assist with wild land fires. This topic raised the discussion of who has the authority to hire forest personnel and does that forest personnel have the authority to drive town equipment. Do you have to be a member of the fire department to drive town equipment, was this an emergency situation. Is the town liable in any way?
Warden Stock was not at home at the time of the call. Gil has spoken about this incident to State Ranger, Doug Miner. Mr. Miner indicated that he has seen these types of issues develop in towns where there is a separate Warden and a separate Chief. Gil finished up by stating if the equipment is town owned then the Fire Chief is in charge of all the equipment.
All vehicles are owned and insured by the town. The Town policy is non employees can not ride in a town vehicle without first signing a waiver.
Paul Sanborn is currently retired from the Chichester Fire Rescue Department. Mr. Sanborn is a Special Warden for the State of NH.
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BOS minutes
May 10, 2007
The Board felt strongly that anyone driving the town’s fire apparatus should be a member of the Chichester Fire Rescue Department.
The Board directed Lisa to contact State Ranger Miner and discuss this matter. Until the Board has answers to these questions, the Chairman will notify Warden Stock that under no circumstances should anyone be operating any town vehicle unless they are an employee or current member of the Chichester Fire Department.
Being no further business, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 6:35PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Stevens
Administrator
APPROVED AS WRITTEN
5/22/2007
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David Colbert, Chairman
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Richard DeBold
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Stephen MacCleery
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