Pelham receives recommendations for public safety
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By PHYLLIS LEHRER Staff Writer
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Wednesday, November 12, 2003 -- ( PELHAM ) A public safety department combining the police and fire operations and a student call force are two recommendations in a new report by consultants.
Donald Jacobs, of Bennett Associates of Norwell, made the recommendation based on a review of the department that included staffing, training and operations.
However, the Board of Selectmen said it wants another option since such a change could be costly. The board and officials will meet with consultants this week to develop such a plan. The final report will be discussed at a public in meeting in December.
This is second study of a town department the board has commissioned. The police department had its turn last year and the highway department will be next. The study cost $5,000.
Jacobs said a public safety department would build on the strength of the existing relationship between the police and fire departments that are both housed in the Community Center.
Such a unified department would have one head, with a police officer and a fire officer handling day-to-day details of their respective departments.
''People are dedicated committed and do a very good job. But you need regular ongoing leadership. That can't be done by paying someone $5,000,'' said Jacobs.
Fire Chief Ken Gay earns $4,700. The total annual budget for the 12-member volunteer force is $38,700.
The report cited several issues that need to be improved. For example, there is no ongoing firefighter recruitment and retention program. This could address a major issue, which is the lack of adequate personnel on weekdays. More than half the firefighters work out of town. Calls are usually answered by other towns under mutual aid agreements.
Pelham police have been authorized to answer fire calls and are generally the first to respond since there are three full-time officers on duty.
Creating a student call force in conjunction with the Amherst Fire Department and the University of Massachusetts student program would also help with staffing. Jacobs said there is space in the station to house two student firefighters and that would provide overnight protection.
According to the report, the operating guidelines need to be updated, training needs to be better organized and communication with selectmen is currently ineffective.
''Oftentimes rumors, innuendoes and ... disgruntled personnel appear to be a normal occurrence,'' the report said.
Jacobs said fees need to reflect the cost of service for permits and inspections.
''This is a tremendous opportunity for Pelham to gain revenue,'' Jacobs said. The added funding could pay for additional personnel. For example, Jacobs said a clerk would be needed to assist with paper work in a public safety department. The report said that technology isn't used effectively.
Phyllis Lehrer can be reached at [email protected].
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By PHYLLIS LEHRER Staff Writer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 -- ( PELHAM ) A public safety department combining the police and fire operations and a student call force are two recommendations in a new report by consultants.
Donald Jacobs, of Bennett Associates of Norwell, made the recommendation based on a review of the department that included staffing, training and operations.
However, the Board of Selectmen said it wants another option since such a change could be costly. The board and officials will meet with consultants this week to develop such a plan. The final report will be discussed at a public in meeting in December.
This is second study of a town department the board has commissioned. The police department had its turn last year and the highway department will be next. The study cost $5,000.
Jacobs said a public safety department would build on the strength of the existing relationship between the police and fire departments that are both housed in the Community Center.
Such a unified department would have one head, with a police officer and a fire officer handling day-to-day details of their respective departments.
''People are dedicated committed and do a very good job. But you need regular ongoing leadership. That can't be done by paying someone $5,000,'' said Jacobs.
Fire Chief Ken Gay earns $4,700. The total annual budget for the 12-member volunteer force is $38,700.
The report cited several issues that need to be improved. For example, there is no ongoing firefighter recruitment and retention program. This could address a major issue, which is the lack of adequate personnel on weekdays. More than half the firefighters work out of town. Calls are usually answered by other towns under mutual aid agreements.
Pelham police have been authorized to answer fire calls and are generally the first to respond since there are three full-time officers on duty.
Creating a student call force in conjunction with the Amherst Fire Department and the University of Massachusetts student program would also help with staffing. Jacobs said there is space in the station to house two student firefighters and that would provide overnight protection.
According to the report, the operating guidelines need to be updated, training needs to be better organized and communication with selectmen is currently ineffective.
''Oftentimes rumors, innuendoes and ... disgruntled personnel appear to be a normal occurrence,'' the report said.
Jacobs said fees need to reflect the cost of service for permits and inspections.
''This is a tremendous opportunity for Pelham to gain revenue,'' Jacobs said. The added funding could pay for additional personnel. For example, Jacobs said a clerk would be needed to assist with paper work in a public safety department. The report said that technology isn't used effectively.
Phyllis Lehrer can be reached at [email protected].