— by Lin McNulty —
In a surprise, perhaps hesitant, move the Board of Fire Commissioners at their meeting on Monday passed a motion to continue the search for a new Fire Chief for another month. Or six months. Or till the end of the year. “What we need administratively,” said Commissioner Jim Coffin, “might inform what we want in a chief. Budget-wise we are not hurting.”
Commissioners Barbara Bedell and Jim Coffin were in attendance at the meeting, with Wes Heinmiller present via teleconference, along with District Financial Officer Mark Horaski.
Ten new recruits were on hand to receive the Oath of Service after recently completing their fire training.
In another motion, the two previous Fire Chiefs, Kevin O’Brien who left the department in April of 2015, and Mik Preysz who resigned in April 2016, were removed as signers on the Fire Department bank accounts.
Acting Assistant Chief Chad Kimple outlined items that are to be listed as “surplus,” and put up for sale. Among the items are four 20-foot ground ladders at $300 each and a 1978 water tender valued at $2,000, which will soon go out for bid, with the bids available for award at the June meeting.
The meeting concluded with an Executive Session of the Board to review the performance of a public employee.
I’m wondering how the issue of the number of commissioners on our Board of Fire Commissioners could be raised?
For an entity of such importance to our community and with the significant rise in its budget, I believe a 3 member board is inadequate to the task and may have contributed to the several years of turnover in the office of our Chief which we’ve witnessed.
Unless I’m mistaken, just one of the disadvantages of a 3 member commission is that since only 2 members constitute a quorum, two commissioners cannot even have a conversation about departmental matters unless it is in a scheduled and publicized public meeting. Five commissioners would eliminate that problem.
Surely a richer, more nuanced communication would occur when more than three voices are heard…and just possibly, one of the outcomes could be wiser decisions.
The Eastsound Sewer and Water District changed from a three member board to five members nearly ten years ago, and it has made a dramatic difference in the ability of the Board members to discuss ideas without running afoul of the State OPMA. The personal dynamic of five members considering an action is considerably more lively than a smaller Board.
Now would be an excellant time to vote on such a change. I suspect that the County Auditor could advise on the process to change.