#1 Fire Station Building Committee and October 15 Meeting

On October 15, 2007, the 'interim' Fire Chief/Police Chief appeared before the Middleboro Board of Selectmen as he had been instructed upon appointment to present a PROGRESS REPORT.

Some may recall the illegal fashion in which the original appointment was made in Executive Session (Open Meeting Law) and when challenged, the Chairwoman believed merely holding a public vote would suffice. The audience presence prevailed, convincing the Chairwoman and the Board of the requirement to hold a public hearing. HEARING

Public statements were made at the time, as well as published editorials, suggesting the goal was to promote James Wiksten, President of the Firefighters Union and former Selectman who was forced to resign due to Ethics violations, to Fire Chief. The hearing was contentious and many Middleboro voters clearly displeased with the BOS decision.

It seems that unless you were present at the October 15, 2007 meeting or watched the Meeting on Cable, you won't know what transpired because the Meeting Minutes have not been posted. Web Site

Faced with a budget shortfall, the Middleboro Selectmen were handed more bad news that's going to be expensive.

That evening, the 'interim' Fire Chief/Police Chief presented a laundry list of building repairs and advised the BOS of the possible need to replace the ladder truck that had been out of service since September 15, 2007. Much of the information presented was vague, inaccurate and without documentation. (It was indicated, at that time, that a new ladder truck would cost in the vicinity of $500,000 -750,000.) Of particular concern was the statement that the chassis of the ladder truck was cracked.

It would seem that all other department heads have provided written information to the BOS prior to their meeting to enable their consideration and research over the weekend, as well as distribution to the press. Since the information presented was significant, it would have seemed a sensible courtesy to extend.

This is among the information that I requested as a PUBLIC DOCUMENTS REQUEST that it would seem should be posted with the Selectmen's Meeting Minutes as part of the public record for your inspection.

Selectman Patrick Rogers seemed the only one to grasp potential options when he asked if used fire trucks were available. A google search of fire trucks, used fire trucks, fire apparatus, provide more than adequate information to discern the Town's options. Upon making inquiries, Mr. Rogers was met with a hostile response.

It was speculated that approximately $36,000 was left in unexpended (and unbonded) funds from the initial building construction.

Of the building repairs, the following committee member list appears on the Town's Web Site:

Fire Station Building Committee
Robert W. Silva
Neil Rosenthal
Wayne Perkins
Steven Morris
David Taylor
Joel Pickering
Jane Lopes
Ed Medeiros
John F. Healey

(Caution is advised when considering that page because there are numerous inaccuracies, including listing the Town Moderator as an appointment. The position is elected.)


Note: The posted Selectmen's Agendas and Meeting Minutes Web Site


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