5/11/1981 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes

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SUPPLEMENT BOARD OF SELECTMEN' S ADMINISTRATIVE MEETING May 11, 1981 Woe Executive Secretary had some questions regarding the negotiations w ongoing with the Firefighters Association. They are proposing the appointment of four lieutenants, one for each shift, to assure that there is always an officer in charge. He pointed out that the firefighters claim they do not have to make a decision until an officer is on the scene. Jean Thomas pointed out that under the terms of the Police Department contract, the senior officer is the officer in charge. The language is unclear in the present firemen' s contract in this regard. Kevin O' Connell stated he thought the Fire Chief could designate someone to be in charge at any time. He doesn' t know how the contract might read, but he feels sure the Chief is given this authority by law. Chester Garland said apparently the present shift commanders feel that they are being underpaid, and are reluctant to assume the responsibility for the small stipend they are being paid. The Executive Secretary reported that one shift commander will be leaving June 30 (Deputy Volpe) . Jean Thomas asked if that position was going to be refilled. Mr. Murphy reported that the Fire Chief would like to fill it, but the Executive Secretary feels the Deputy should be on a different shift from the Chief, so that they could each act as shift commanders of their respective shifts. This would just leave two shifts without. an officer. Mr. O' Connell exclaimed that they surely wouldn' t need a lieu- tenant when the Chief was on duty. He also stated he would be opposed adding any new personnel to the force , as Mashpee has the highest tuber of police and firefighters per. capita of any towns in the state . It was again mentioned that the Police Department has a watch commander for each shift, which individual is paid a little more for performing that duty. However, the Executive Secretary reminded the Board that that prac- tice has some pitfalls. . . . . that there was one incident where a rookie was performing as watch commander, and was suspended for one day for a question- able decision that he made. The Executive Secretary asked, in conclusion, what he should take back to the bargaining table? Kevin O' Connell suggested a compromise; how about one captain and one lieutenant? II Chester Garland would prefer two lieutenants - or at least two officers of the same rank, regardless of title -- all on different shifts from the Chief. The Executive Secretary would prefer to see the present position for which they are advertising become more secretarial than dispatching in nature . He is looking into hiring a private company to do the ambulance billing, because that presently takes up -a lot of the clerk' s time. Returning to the subjec of bargaining and the new positions being considered, Kevin O' Connell questioned if the lieutenants would be in a seperate union. Garland felt it would be better if all personnel remained under one on, rather than having two to deal with. The Executive Secretary proposed another approach - appointing two deputies , which would keep them in the management category. Mr. Garland questioned