The Berkshire Eagle
STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Internal dissension within the town’s Fire Department was apparently why the Select Board decided against reappointing Chief Louis Peyron after 53 years of service in the department.
Documents from an executive session show a contentious discussion between Peyron and the board after he was told of the action. The minutes from the closed-door meeting between Peyron and the Select Board were released by Town Administrator Jorja-Ann Marsden in response to a records request filed by The Eagle.
During the early morning meeting on Feb. 9, Chairman Robert Flower informed Peyron that he wouldn’t be reappointed as chief when his contract expires July 1, 2012, and also that he would be placed on a leave of absence until that date. The board didn’t record the meeting, and the minutes from the meeting may not be verbatim quotes.
According to the minutes, Flower told Peyron, “Personally, this would be a very difficult decision for the board.”
After Peyron, 75, sought an explanation for the action, Flower responded: “The decision would be in the best interests of the Fire Department and the town, and it is time to make this change.”
Peyron responded that he was not surprised, and then discussed “a lot of gossip around the station we have had meetings with different opinions about the truck.”
Voters at the annual town meeting last spring had authorized $400,000 for a new fire truck after approving portions of the funds year-by-year, Flower told The Eagle Monday. He explained that Peyron had presented a design for the truck to the personnel in his department.
“There has been a lot of griping about the truck,” Peyron said during the Feb. 9 meeting with the Select Board. “There are some troublemakers within the department and I would call them in one at a time to straighten them out. Some won’t hear anything.”
Peyron also warned that “you will have a problem finding someone to be the chief. A lot of people think they know about the fire department.”
After declaring that he loved his job, “which has a lot to do with people, buildings and equipment,” he added that he would never resign or quit. “It’s not that I haven’t been doing the job,” Peyron told the board.
When Peyron asked if he could still respond to incidents involving the fire department, according to the minutes, Select Board member Deb McMenamy replied: “No, you will be on a leave of absence.” She also told Peyron: “You are appreciated and leave big shoes to fill. We would be happy to celebrate you with a special event.”
Flower told The Eagle Monday that no event has been scheduled, and that some townspeople felt it would be a “disgrace” to hold one under the circumstances because it would “dishonor him this was from people who loved Louie.”
Flower declined to elaborate further on the tension within the department that preceded the Select Board’s decision. “It’s yours to interpret,” he said. “We’ve said everything we can.”
In response to The Eagle’s request, the town released a letter from Flower to Peyron dated Feb. 28, confirming the decision not to reappoint him and verifying that he would be paid as usual during his leave.
“During your leave, we expect that the acting chief will call upon your experience and expertise to assist him in the transition to a new leadership team,” the letter stated. “However, except as he may request, you are not to report to work or perform any duties for the department.”
The letter also expressed the Board of Selectmen’s “gratitude for your many years of service to the Town of Stockbridge.”
Peyron also was a police officer for 45 years until 2006, and he stood guard at the crossing for the former Stockbridge Plain School for 40 years.
Ernest “Chucky” Cardillo, a deputy chief, was named interim chief after Peyron was let go.
“We’re happy with him,” Flower said Monday, adding that it’s not clear yet whether Cardillo will apply for the permanent post.
Cardillo told The Eagle Monday he hasn’t decided yet whether to apply. Asked whether a dispute over the design of the new fire truck had precipitated the Select Board’s decision to remove Peyron, Cardillo repeated what he told the Eagle earlier this month: “I don’t know the reasons.”
He did say that the order for the truck, which has been on hold, will be reactivated after an upcoming meeting of department personnel.
Peyron did not immediately return a call for comment on release of the minutes by the board. During a brief interview after The Eagle reported his departure from the department, he said he was “shocked and mystified” by the outcome.
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