The Berkshire Eagle
BECKET, Mass. — Citing ongoing problems with the town’s fire equipment, the Selectmen on Wednesday night voted unanimously to terminate the appointment of Fire Chief James Hall, effective immediately.
Acting Fire Chief Raymond Tarjick will head the department until the Selectmen can appoint a successor, according to Selectman Chairman George Fuller.
Hall had been placed on leave with pay by the Selectmen last week, in response to an unsigned letter accusing the chief of a number of personal and professional shortcomings.
The board, however, said they were more concerned by a letter of “no confidence” Hall signed by 19 of the 23 Becket firemen.
“As far as I m concerned, the personal stuff in [the unsigned] letter is heresay,” said Fuller.
The Selectmen heard testimony primarily from Hall and Christopher Massini, a spokesman for the Becket Firefighters Association, which represents the firemen.
Massini detailed a series of issues with Hall, including a faulty air compressor, broken pagers, defective fire extinguishers on the fire trucks, a broken down truck that was not repaired for eight months, defibrillators that have been out of service for more than two years.
The air compressor, Massini said, has been broken for more than three years. An air compressor is the device that refills air bottles used by firemen.
Fuller asked Hall how the department refilled its air bottles. Hall replied that other towns departments had compressors they would allow Becket to use.
“Hinsdale, mostly,” he said.
Massini said he believed the fire extinguishers on the trucks hadn t been operable for four years, an assessment Hall disputed.
Hall’s response in most cases, was that he was in the process of working with various vendors and agencies to replace the equipment.
Massini was also asked about allegations of alcohol in the chief’s departmental truck. He replied that the alcohol was in Hall’s truck on a call. Hall did not dispute the allegation but said he was unaware that he was not allowed to transport alcohol in a town vehicle.
Another allegation concerned Hall s purchase of fire equipment from a relative. Hall said he did it because he got a “good deal” from the relative.
Attorney Ann Deely, representing Hall, was troubled by what seemed to be a sudden attack by the firefighters on her client. She noted that the firemen apparently knew of these problems for months, or years, and did not bring them to Hall’s attention.
“All of a sudden, they throw someone who loves this town, who has been a fireman for 30 years, under the bus,” she said.
She suggested that Hall’s decision to hire a certain female firefighter was the real reason the Firefighters Association wanted him dismissed.
“I stood up for her, and they didn’t like it,” said Hall.
“The [Firefighters ] Association thinks they run the department,” he said. “I think the chief should run it.
“I ran the department to the best of my ability,” said Hall. “And now, I get a knife in my back?”
“I like you John, you’re a good man,” said board member William Cavanaugh. “But I’m having a problem with your leadership. You are put in power, You’ve accepted a position of responsibility. You have to take the whip out.”
Cavanaugh asked Hall if he thought he could still run the department after Wednesday’s hearing. Hall said he believed he could.
The Selectmen did not.
“We all know John,” said Fuller. “We’re all friends, although maybe not after this hearing. I don’t know.”
Cavanaugh said he went into the hearing hoping that Hall and his men could come to some agreement. At the end of the session, he conceded he didn’t think it was possible.
Board member Mark Karlberg said he was troubled that “there seems to be things that have not been taken care of.”
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