Board of Selectmen
November 8, 2011
Community Hall Annex
7:30 p.m.
Present: Joseph R. Becker, Chairman; Michael Pantos, Vice-Chairman; Leroy Clark, Sheila H. Dibb. Peter Letsky, Clerk arrived at 7:55.
Also present: Fire Chief Thomas P. Ruchala, Dispatch Manager Nathan Kenney
Mr. Becker opened the meeting at 7:32 p.m. Review of process/goals of subgroup, open to discussion. Mr. Clark asked Mr. Kenney for his opinion to which he replied the document presented is very close to his job already.
Mr. Becker – IT section, general oversight is different. Mr. Pantos questioned the introductory section of Section 4 – still under both chiefs? Mr. Becker responded that this was the indicated direction.
Mr. Kenney – as written, is he allowed to schedule his own meetings, etc?
Chief Ruchala – he is the one who has shepherded this through.
Mr. Pantos asked do we take a leap now to next level of autonomy? Chief Ruchala and Mr. Becker agreed that this is the vision for the future. Chief Ruchala stated that they are giving Nathan all they can for now.
Mr. Clark views this as freeing up the chiefs to do chief work.
Nathan Kenney stated that the dispatch center was rather stuck in time and stuck in ‘color’ (red) . . . needs more freedom to get that professional element. Chief Ruchala questioned what exactly is being held back?
Mr. Kenney has received feedback that the Dispatch Center should not be a subsidiary of the Fire Department – so he got a P.O. Box.
Mr. Becker doesn’t want to blow this up bigger than it is, wonders if topic should be hashed out among three people (Chiefs and Nathan - without the Board). Chief Ruchala stated he will not stand in the way of progress on the dispatch center.
Mr. Pantos began discussion of the Wachusett meeting request.
Mr. Pantos moved to enter into executive session for Reason #3: To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares and return to open session for adjournment purposes. Mr. Clark seconded. Dibb aye, Clark aye, Letsky aye, Pantos aye, Becker aye.
Mr. Clark moved to adjourn. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila H. Dibb
Board of Selectmen
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