By Karen Nugent
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
CLINTON, Mass. — Fire Chief Richard J. Hart last night told selectmen he was just trying to make a point in his September monthly report, described by the board as insulting and disrespectful.
The board at its last meeting requested the chief’s presence to explain his opening and closing remarks on the one-page report, in which he said writing such a report was “not the most productive” use of his time. He ended the report with, “Time has run out, and I will need to start the report for October now.”
He said at the time, he looked up at the calendar and noticed it was Oct. 30.
Chief Hart said with no administrative help and 30 employees to oversee, he finds it frustrating and overwhelming to supply information that is readily available from the town accountant. The Police Department, he pointed out, has a full-time secretary, lieutenant, sergeant, and dispatcher to help compile monthly reports.
“If I had all that, I could do a five-page monthly report, too,” he said. “It’s getting to the point where I can’t keep up.”
The board two weeks ago contrasted reports from the two departments.
When board members suggested that Chief Hart’s report dealt only with overtime and personnel issues, the chief said he was told his past reports were too lengthy because he included call logs.
Selectman Michael J. Dziokonski said it is up to a department manager, not an administrative assistant, to compile reports, and that his should include information on the number of fires, ambulance calls, and the status of equipment.
Chief Hart, who handed in two reports last night, acknowledged that the October report began with the same remark as in September, but he would take it out from now on.
“You know what the board is looking for; you’ve done it in the past,” said Selectman William F. Connolly Jr.
Copyright 2011 Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Inc.
All Rights Reserved