Do Your Jobs in Seekonk

Posted Tuesday, February 25, 2020 12:00 am

“People like to criticize the Board of Selectmen.” These were the words of our Town Administrator Wednesday night when questioned about the process of hiring a Police Chief and a Fire Chief.

The criticism to be had is the “process” and how it has failed. Not once but twice. He also made a snarky remark about how “no one seems to care about the Fire Department.” He couldn’t be more wrong.

Stepping back to look at the Fire Department the public heard of a promotion to Deputy Chief and then an announcement of that same Deputy Chief’s retirement. Some time between then and now they have brought in a “former” Chief, who was our last and best that had retired and is now covering the bases. Questions to ask are the following. When was this discussed? What agenda? What vote? Was there a temporary contract given? How much? None of this was brought to the public as it should have been. While we’re at it, why did the former Chief retire in the first place only to return temporarily?

There are a few more promotions and hirings that can be called to question. Keep in mind these questions circle around Administration and not the employee’s involved.

Animal Control has always had one Full Time ACO. A Department Head just as any other department under the Administration. Suddenly, there was a promotion from within to move an Assistant ACO to Full Time ACO essentially giving Animal Control two Department Heads. Why? Then a subsequent promotion to a part time individual to Assistant ACO. No questions asked, no justification, just do it. Also, there was no process for these moves. No advertisements, no applications, no interview panels, nothing. Why when you search for a contact for the Animal Shelter Building Project does the Town Administrator act as the liaison to the public when he doesn’t for any other project? Why isn’t the Chairman of the Shelter Building Committee listed? What is going on here?

The Building Department needed a Building Inspector some time ago. The position was assigned accordingly with a stipulation that the applicant obtain credentials to become a Building Commissioner under Mass General Laws. The Building Inspector has obtained those necessary credentials; however, we have a “temporary” Commissioner from Fall River on board. Why? How long is he staying? Has he left?

If there was talk in open session for the need to have a Commissioner right away and there could have been, why wasn’t the position properly advertised, applications obtained an interview panel assembled? Further how are we paying for this individual? Is he contracted?

There has never been a clear definitive process for hiring such important leadership roles by the Board of Selectmen. The Town Administrator refers to the Home Rule Charter in that it is his responsibility to present a recommendation. This is true, however, the process of getting to that recommendation lies with the direction of the Board of Selectmen.

These important Department Head positions are vital to our community and the way the Town Administrator is handling it and the length of time and money spent is unacceptable. Let’s not forget the Board meets every other week. This is not a practice carved in stone but when there’s work to be done such as this, it seems they should be meeting weekly until it’s done.

We have heard of a dollar surplus in departments without the Chief positions being filled. Yet we are wasting money on outside consultants to find us the “best” possible candidates for police and fire. Totally unnecessary we already have the best.

We have witnessed employee promotions and new positions created (a second F/T ACO) without justification and without a uniformed manner for hiring across the board.

Why does the Board of Selectmen remain silent? The Chairman works in concert with the Town Administrator. He is not looking out for the best interest of the employees of the town or the people who elected him to serve. He never questions or directs or even offers suggestions for the Board to consider by way of the Town Administrator.

Makes you wonder just how the Town Administrator was able to get an early contract renewal. Not once but twice. The second time took place on a Monday night, which is not a regularly scheduled BOS meeting night at the Senior Center, not a regular meeting place either and the Board was meeting the very same week on Wednesday.

Yes, the charter says the Town Administrator is responsible for the daily operations of the Town. However, it does not say he can do it any way he sees fit without direction of the Board of Selectmen. It is the responsibility of the Board of Selectmen to give direction, in open session, to the Town Administrator and it is the Town Administrator’s responsibility to full fill the obligated task until concluded. It is also the Town Administrator’s responsibility to provide updates on each task through the Town Administrator’s Report portion of the agenda until complete.

This is not only an election year nationally, but it would seem the Town Administrator is once again running for City Council in Fall River. Stewardship in a town and a city is a huge undertaking. Seekonk needs FULL attention until all our Departments are fully staffed. Time sharing is not an option. It isn’t fair to Fall River and it certainly isn’t fair to Seekonk.

With April around the corner, this writer is hoping for the best. The make up of the Board is in dyer need of change for the better. It’s time the Board of Selectmen stand up and be the Executive Board they are meant to be. The Town Administrator works at the behest of the Board, not the other way around. Individually they each have a voice, minority or majority doesn’t matter. Speak up! You are there to serve the Community not the TA and not to nod your heads in compliance with everything put in front of you!!