By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – Mayor Arthur Vigeant is asking the City Council to approve and support the reorganization of the Marlborough Fire Department. He commended Fire Chief Kevin Breen and Marlborough Fire Fighters Association, Local 1714 President Bill Taylor for their “strong leadership which was crucial moving the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) forward for the Department.”
“The MOA is the product of their hard work and I thank them for their efforts,” Vigeant said in his communication to the council. The agreement includes the removal of Civil Service.
“While there are benefits to the Civil Service system, it has become too outdated and cumbersome for modern city departments,” stated Vigeant.
By adopting in its place a hiring system that places priority on experience and a thorough assessment of candidates, the city will be able to hire and provide the most qualified candidates, based on a complete review of their qualifications rather than just a single test, he stated.
The Finance Committee will review the mayor’s request for $615,629 to fund the MOA and reorganization. The proposal includes the creation of four new battalion chief positions to oversee each working tour; their positions will be filled immediately from the existing officer corps.
