In the wake of Plympton’s choosing to hire a firm to study and make recommendations for the operation and management of the Plympton Fire Dept., Chief Warren J. Borsari told selectmen Monday night that he has received the resignations of several FD personnel. Deputy Chief Steven Winslow, with almost 40 years as a call firefighter in Plympton, tendered his resignation. Steven M. Enright, Jr., gave his two weeks’ notice. Call Fire Lieutenant Joe Gibbons cited “personal and professional reasons” for his resignation. These are added to the resignation of Robert D. Law, as Captain of the Plympton Fire Dept. who did not list a reason for his abrupt resignation without notice as of August 18
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MRI chosen for FD
Borsari will be working closely with Municipal Resources, Inc. (MRI) a firm that was chosen from a field of four to study and give recommendations for the operation of the Plympton Fire Department and Emergency Services.
The final decision was made at the Plympton Selectmen’s meeting on Monday, Sept. 11.
Both Chief Borsari and Selectmen acknowledged how difficult this decision was. Borsari said the town had worked with the other finalist, Atty. Ernest Horn, in the past and said that essentially everything Horn predicted would happen with the town’s fire department has come true.
Borsari also praised Horn for his public safety experience. He said Horn has ten years’ experience each as both a police and fire chief.
Selectman John Traynor originally believed Horn to be the best choice to conduct the study. Traynor said, “Ernie was extremely thorough. I felt like there’d be no rock unturned.”
Reference checks were done by Selectmen Clerk Mark Russo who chose more recent references from each candidate in order to get a better idea of their present work.
Russo described Horn’s references as “pretty enthusiastic.” However, he went a step further with MRI saying the references were “almost uniformly extremely enthusiastic.”
Besides the references, Russo said he was leaning toward MRI because of their being a large firm with a lot of experience. He said this adds legitimacy and this is something the town needs.
Borsari also ultimately ended up leaning toward MRI because of the sheer amount of experience of the firm. He remains impressed by MRI having three former fire chiefs with more than 100 years combined experience.
Traynor said he was fine with either option and with the Borsari and the rest of the Board preferring MRI, he made it a unanimous vote. Selectmen voted to negotiate a contract agreement with MRI for the purpose of conducting a study on the Fire Department and EMS services.
Executive Session Resignations
Selectmen held an executive session with Fire Chief Warren Borsari. The deputy chief and fire captain both resigned, so an emergency session was held to discuss reorganizing the department as well as discussing potential candidates to fill these respective positions.
Health Agent resigns
Board of Health Agent Cathy Drinan also resigned from her position. Selectman John Traynor said, “It’s a shame she is leaving.”
Selectman Chair Christine Joy also said she was upset to see her leave. Joy said, “She’s an asset to the town.”
Board of Health Chair Art Morin told the Board of Selectmen that a replacement is needed in order for the Board of Health to complete some of its routine functions. Morin said, “We’re going to be putting a lot of things on hold.”
According to Morin, a replacement is needed before the Board of Health can begin approving septic systems again.
The next Selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 18, 2017. Open session begins at 6 p.m.