By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
During a regular meeting of the Caribou City Council Monday night City Manager Steven Buck announced that the five-person interview team had completed their work regarding applications/interviews from in-house individuals interested in serving as Caribou Fire Chief. Buck again commented that all six applicants were considered to be very strong contenders.
While no decision has been made as of yet regarding the position, Buck asked the council members to authorize the expenditure of legal fees in the amount of $22,770 incurred from a recent independent investigation regarding a personnel matter. Buck also sought approval from the board to forego hiring a fire chief for the next 44 days. Without having to pay an individual during that time, the cost of the expenditure would be absorbed without costing the city any more.
“Considering the starting date of Feb. 10, if we wait until April 11 to fill this position, the city would not be faced with additional costs,” Buck said. Councilman Philip McDonough moved to approve this request. Councilwoman Mary Kate Barbosa seconded the motion and the panel authorized the request to wait until April 11 to consider filling the vacant fire chief position.
Buck also addressed the council regarding prior discussion of the possibility of hiring a public safety director, in lieu of a new fire chief, who would be responsible for overseeing the police, fire and ambulance (EMS) departments regarding the fiscal, personnel (including policies, contracts and negotiations) within administrative areas within these departments.
“The public safety director is envisioned as a person who would oversee these areas of the three departments,” said Buck. ”If this position is established it would be predicated on keeping the same number of personnel; it would eliminate one current position with no new hiring, ultimately a potential cost savings for the city,” he said.
If a public safety director were to be put into place Buck stated that a deeper command structure would have to be established within the departments. The city manager said that in the police department there would need to be two sergeants and one lieutenant who would be in charge of the day-to-day staff; a deputy fire chief would be in place at the fire department and for the first time the city would have an EMS director in charge of the ambulance operations.
In essence the two police sergeants, a lieutenant, a deputy fire chief and the EMS director would be subordinates to the public safety director who would oversee three municipal departments.
“It is a potential cost savings but we (Buck and council members) are still discussing the pros and cons of establishing the position, including any risks and at what cost,” said Buck.
The city council will proceed with further discussion on this matter as they continue developing the city’s 2012 budget.
The next regular meeting of the Caribou City Council will be held on Monday, March 12 in the council chambers. A public hearing will also be held at this time to receive public input regarding the following matters: the rezoning of Tax Map 11 Lot 5-H, 6 Carroll Street, from I-2 to C-2 pursuant to the recommendations of the Caribou Planning Board; the proposed consumer fireworks ordinance; and the wireless telecommunications facilities ordinance.
