Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. jump in. Don't you love me? Heat.
Heat. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. Good evening. I call the public services committee meeting to order. The date is Monday, March 2nd, uh, 2026, and the time is 6:15 p.m. Uh, we have three
items on this evening's agenda. Uh, before I get into the agenda, though, I'd like to take a minute. I, uh, believe this is our first meeting of the public services committee in 2026. So, I'd like to introduce our starting lineup tonight real quick. We have a vice chair, councelor Vital. Um, also
have a voting member here, councelor Irish, and then myself as the chair. Um, with that, like I said, we have three items. Uh, do want to take a quick minute. Our secretary, Karen, gave me wonderful write up about the public services committee, and I will keep this
very brief. One second. Uh the public services committee consisting of three members to whom shall be referred questions or issues relating to streets, highways, sidewalks, drains, sewer extensions, street lighting, underground utilities, wireless communications technology, and other engineering issues and report on
applications for licenses and special permits under the jurisdiction of the city council. So, now that you know a little bit more about us, let's get into it. I'm going to take uh the items up in reverse order starting with order number 26-1009665 an application for renewal of taxi
livery license from Ksenori Tanaka DBA Global Limousine and tour services at 17 Eager Court. Mr. Tanaka feel free to join us in the well. Um thank you for being here. do also want to highlight we received an email back on February 20th
from the chief of police, David Georgie, uh stating that he has received Mr. Tanaka's Corey report and has no issues with the issuance of this renewal. Um I know that Eager Court is also in W 6 which I represent and in the last two years I've had no concerns, no issues
brought to my attention. Um with that I will open it up to members of the committee for questions. Councelor Vital. >> Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a uh motion to accept the application of renewal for uh Mr. Tanaka's business. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any
further discussion? Council Irish. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh good evening and welcome back again. Um it's always a pleasure that you're doing business helping out residents, you know, for the city of Muburn with your limousine service. Just a very quick question on your three vehicles. Uh those were all garageed at the Eagle Court, correct?
>> Uh yes, that's correct. and and you're paying uh uh excise tax to the city of Marro on those garage vehicles. >> Uh yes. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you, councelor Irish. Uh with that, a motion has been made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing
Seeing none, all those in favor? Opposed. The motion carries 320. Congratulations, Mr. Tanaka. This will now go to the rest of the council and be reported out at a future meeting. >> Sounds good. All set. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. All right, moving up the ladder here. We
have order number 26-1009620A, a communication from city solicitor Jason Grossfield regarding proposed order of acceptance of Jewel Road as a public way along with associated easements. I believe we have a letter from the solicitor which I will head to
now. Dated January 21st, 2026. Dear honorable President Oing and counselors, as requested, we have reviewed the above referenced item as to legal form. Enclosed, please find a proposed order of acceptance for the above reference street and associated municipal
easements. The order is in proper legal form. Copies of the acceptance plan and the deed, which includes a description of the easements are attached. The the city engineer has reviewed and approved the submitts. Please co contact me if you have any questions respectfully.
Jason D. Grossfield, city solicitor. With that, I will open it up to questions from members of the committee. >> Um, I thank you, Mr. Chair. I have no questions. Uh, I do um thank the city solicitor putting this in the legal form
and having this all prepared for us. Um, I think it's always wonderful idea, especially uh in the city of Malro, that we are able to uh have these parcels added to the the city as a whole. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Chair. >> Thank you, councelor Irish. Um, any further discussion? Looking for a motion
uh on the acceptance of Jewel Road. Council Vital, >> I'll make a motion to accept uh the uh partial the partial of Jewel Road that was uh defined by the city solicitor. Um
yeah, and and all the easements along the way. >> Sounds good. Motion has been made and seconded um to accept Jewel Road as a public way along with associated easements. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor?
Opposed? The motion carries 320. All right, team. One to go. Next up is order number 26-1009620A. A communication from city solicitor Jason Gfield regarding proposed order of acceptance of open space parcel within
the Bouchmen estates open space development special permit. Uh with that similarly have a quick letter from the solicitor which I'll read um dated January 21st 2026. Dear honorable President Oing and counselors enclosed for consideration, please find a
proposed order to accept a deed to the city of Malro for the open space parcel comprising 2.16 acres of land in connection with the above reference subdivision. Pursuant to Mass General Law Chapter 40 section 8C, the parcel would be placed
under the management and control of the Conservation Commission for purposes of the promotion and development of natural resources, wershed protection, passive recreation, and conservation. For reference purposes, please also find enclosed a copy of the relevant subdivision plan and a GIS map showing
the open space parcel. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Respectfully, Jason D. Grossfield, city solicitor. Um I do know I had a brief conversation with the conservation officer Priscilla Ryder. Um she did share with me that uh one of the
adjacent parcels uh has vernal pools uh with uh these spring pools that pop up usually during the springtime. Um and they've identified those as having um you know as the weather gets warmer there will be frogs, other reptiles that are in that area. So, um she was very excited to secure this parcel next to it
to make sure that uh uh those members of our community can uh um do their thing this spring. So, um with that open it up to any discussion from the committee. Council vital. >> Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion for the acceptance of the open space parcel within the uh Bocherman estate open
space development special permit. >> Motion is made and seconded to accept the open space parcel. Any further discussion? Council Orum. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, I don't know if everyone had had a chance to read the minutes from the planning
board. Uh, one of their board members had mentioned on the Boseman estates that it's great to have the open space, but the houses are quite big for those tiny lots. And hopefully as we continue to plan out our city and as I always
say, we need to get our planning going in Malro, uh, we need to look at that. Uh, it was a good point she made and I agree with her. If you take a drive down to the Boseman Estates, which by the way, when I was a junior back in the days of working at Marorrow Hospital, I
knew the Boseman family very well because a few of them worked at the hospital. But uh again, it's it's like gigantic homes sitting on small lots for the benefit of open space. So I I'm with that. I agree with that. But just a comment I wanted to make. Thank you, Mr.
Chair. >> Thank you, Councelor Oram. Um any motion has been made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor? Opposed? The motion carries 320 to 0. That is the end of our agenda. I will entertain a motion to adjurnn.
Council vital. >> Mr. Chair, I make a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion is made and seconded to adjurnn. Any discussion? All those in favor? Opposed? The motion carries 3 to zero and the public services committee is adjourned at 6:23 p.m.
Thank you everybody. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. like to call the personnel committee to
order at 6:30 on March 2nd, 2026. We have four appointments to review and I am taking them out of order. What we're going to do is take the second one first, the third one second, fourth one third, and our chief will be
reviewed as the last candidate. And he was okay with that. And what I'd like to do is uh start with order number 0209, I'm sorry, order number 2610009653, the appointment of Pamela McNair, who's in the audience. She's right behind us.
if everyone would like to welcome her. Welcome her. Welcome Pamela. Um, and we'll just interview her from this point. So, if >> did she go to the well? >> No, she already asked me to do it this way. So, I'm agreeing to it. And I would ask the two committee members first. If
you have any questions, just turn a little bit to that side. Maybe take your microphone if you can't be heard and we can go that route. I just rather have the answer on the microphone which is why I >> So if you can pass the mic from over there >> that's a problem. You won't be on the microphone but
>> but we as long as she gets a mic I'm fine with this as long you know >> music star. >> No we're going to give her we're going to let her have a microphone >> and I'm not that's >> Karen Pam can make it up but oh well
>> one further back. >> I am so sorry. So we are starting with Karen which is order number 2610009654. I am so sorry. >> That's okay. >> So we may have a few questions for you >> and
thank you. Thank you for the clarification. >> Yes. Thank you for the clarification trying to get through all this. But welcome welcome to the city of Malber. It's you know the city council. Um how long have you lived in the city now? I
just came back in July, but I am I I've lived in Marorrow almost all my life. >> Okay. Um, and have you you What got you to consider joining the Commission of Disabilities? I mean,
>> I just wanted something different. >> Okay. >> To do and be part of the of the city, the community again. >> Okay. I I do think you're an asset to the commission disabilities because, you know, having your own experiences is important to to bring to the committee.
So, I'm a member of the disabilities commission. So, I think that you'd be a great addition to the committee. Um, that's all I have to say. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Councelor Ducet. Council Haven questions. >> I do not have any questions and I will echo I don't want to be repetitive, but
I will echo all of councelor Ducet's comments and I want to thank you for volunteering to serve. Um, we appreciate that we can use it and uh, welcome you to the commission. >> You're welcome. >> Any other members on the council that have any questions?
>> No. Okay. Well, >> motion to approve. >> Motion's on the table to approve and I'll second that automatically. I do have a quick question. Uh, you're in the new Alta French. >> I'm in the Alter French Hill uh, complex. And how, if you don't mind me
asking, how has access been in that facility, especially with all the snow? >> Um, it's been good. The only thing is there is no automatic button for me to get in and out of the building. Um, it
has been addressed, but um, there's nothing resolved as of yet. Well, Karen, I think you're going to be on this committee and I have a feeling you're going to make them get that button real quick. So, with that said, all in favor?
Opposed? You are approved and you are now on the disability commission or reappointed. >> And we'll get that fixed for you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Now that I got myself straightened out here,
>> we are going to ask Pamela McNair. I apologize Pamela >> looking at two different people. Not >> where do I >> You can go right up to the Well, those microphones are already on. So I'll just uh note the um order number and then
we'll same process. We'll have some discussion. So which is originally noted as order number 2610009653 Pamela McNair welcome. >> Thank you. >> And as I started before any committee members councelor Naven
>> thank you very much Mr. Chairman. >> Hi Pam. >> Welcome. >> Thank you. >> Um I do have a comment but first a question. Um you know you do quite a bit of volunteering. How come you ever interested in serving on the commission? I was interested in serving on the commission for a while now and uh I was
hopeful to be appointed. I enjoy helping others and I definitely enjoy advocating for those who can't advocate for themselves. >> Well, thank you. Um I thank the mayor for um sending your appointment down. Um full disclosure, Pam is a personal friend of mine. Um, we've known each
other many years and I will just say for people's kind of own knowledge, the letter that you submitted to the mayor and the mayor's letter kind of undersell your commitment to this community and the amount of volunteering you do and the work you do on behalf of so many different organizations. Um, and should also note um that you're kind of
instrumental in quarterly food drives and and so many other opportunities to help people across our community. So, um, it may be a conflict of interest because we are friends, but I do want to support you and let my support and I'm sure councelor Ducet will have things to say, but I'd like to make a motion to approve your appointment.
>> Okay, motion's been made and seconded. >> Council Ducet. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, so Pam, why Commission of Disabilities? Just more for the record, why are you choosing this commission? Mhm. I chose this commission because it is uh a passion of
mine to help um individuals with special needs and uh I enjoy helping people navigate their way through and um you know as soon as she said that there wasn't accessible >> you know the the push button you know
the wheel started moving you know and >> I'm ready to help. So you have a family member that is disabled or has correct disability because it it's actually important with the commission disabilities we have members who have disabilities and also members who are family members of disabilities. So I
think it's important that >> you know both roles are represented in the committee. So I again I think this is a perfect fit and obviously I'll second uh councelor Naven's approval. So, wow, you got two seconds on. >> Thank you.
>> And any Thank you. Um, any other council members? Council Pachello. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will keep it brief. Hi, Pam. How are you? Um, I I know many of us know you know the activism and the work that you've done for our community, right, across so many different groups in our community. One thing I wanted to
highlight because we had a conversation. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you are a member of the Department of Developmental Services Citizen Advisory Board for the Commonwealth. So, um, for those who don't know, that position is appointed by the DDS commissioner. And so, for you to be stepping up here in
our community while also doing similar work across the Commonwealth is just pretty incredible and really lucky to have you. So, when this does go to the full council, I will be in full support. Very happy to see you tonight and thank you for stepping up. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> You're welcome. Any other counselors?
Uh, I guess I'll just note a few things and thank you as well as the previous person. Um, Special Olympics, I think that's great. And is that you work in the local area on Special Olympics? >> Yes. >> If you could just give a little history of your background with the Special
Olympics. >> I've been coaching Special Olympics softball for about 20 years. Started with the um little guys when my son was younger. Then I graduated to the adults and it is the best part of my year. In
fact, it doesn't start until June and yesterday I was excited because it was March 1st and it was time to ask for the field to be reserved. So, >> excellent. And do you get involved with the um the group down on Forest Street with the Special Olympics too with their >> Yes. Only if I'm only if I'm asked to.
>> I see. Yeah. I I know the police department gets involved with them and it's great that >> I think that's a great attribute that you carry and um also your great marble programs now called Thrive as you noted. >> Uh we're grateful to have you here and I would um note that it's already been
motioned and seconded to approve. So all in favor I >> you are now through the personnel committee appointed and it will go as noted to the city council full meeting and I am sure both of you will have no problem being appointed on the uh
commission of disabilities. So >> thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very >> Thank you ma'am. >> Excellent. Now the next person in line if I have everything right I know her so I'm a friend of hers. So I have the same conflict is item number 2610009655.
Dr. Karen Patty, welcome. We're going to grill you. So sit down and strap down. Now >> give buzzer. >> As I told you, I'm very grateful that you are offering to be on the board of health, but let me open it up to my sub my committee members first and see if
one of the committee members has any questions. Go. >> Who? Chairman, >> please. Council of Ducet. >> Thank you very much. Um, so Karen, I know you've been very active within the
community and um, you know, why did you choose the board of health? What this is more like as people watch this, what do you want to tell the audience why you'd be an asset to the board of health? >> Oh, thank you for asking. Um so I am a veterinarian obviously so my my field is
health and health of animals and health of humans is one world health you know it is all the same and so this is something that I do feel very passionately about. I served on the state board of veterinary medicine for 11 years, which oversees the
veterinarians and the lawmaking for the state of Massachusetts, and I feel like being on the board of health here in my community, that I could really support my community and help to make a difference. >> Thank you, >> Council Naven.
>> Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Uh, no notes. Great answer. Um, just want to uh thank you for being willing to get involved. your answer is what we hope that so many people will see when they see these committee meetings um stepping up to serve your community and doing so in an area that you're passionate about
is just going to benefit us more so so I am excited to support your uh candidacy here >> um you also make a motion to approve >> motion has been made and seconded to approve on that any further discussion councel Irish >> thank you Mr. Chair good evening Dr.
Hello, Councelor Irish. >> Good evening. Um, as always, I was very happy to see this sent down by the mayor and I know, uh, getting residents to be on, you know, committees, it's a it's a lot of work going forward, but we try to get residents to be part of the community. Um, very obviously so
qualified for this committee, but I also want to mention how philanthropic you are as well with your time and I know what donating clothing to the local churches that you helped me with and some other things. So, but I I definitely will be a yes vote on this. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
>> Thank you. Well, you know, councelor Irish, it's very easy to be philanthropic when you are surrounded by people who are also the same. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> What a nice compliment, >> Council B. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I've known Dr. Patty for a long time um through her
veterary uh practices in in the city. You say, "Well, how does that relate to um the board of health?" She was one of the few veterinarians when my everyone knows me as the guy with the dogs. I've always had dogs, multiple dogs. In fact, more than most
people would want to have. And what Dr. Patty did was when my dog was passing, I didn't want to bring the dog to the veterary to a place that they was not right for them. So, Dr. Patty came to our house
and allowed me to spend the last few minutes with my dog um the right way. You know, it's all about the dog. It wasn't my dogs gave everything they have to my pleasure and I wanted to give the
same back to to them. And Dr. Patty came to my house and allowed me to do that. So, she has the same figure on the board of health as she has in taking care of her her clients. She's going to be a great great member of the board of health and I will support that vote when
it comes to the council. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you, Council V. You almost got me choked up because I was involved with a situation that was the opposite of what you were able to have. Lucky you. Um, public health, I I know a little bit a
little bit about it since I've been working for boards of health for many years. Um, 40 plus. Actually, I was I worked for the Marbor Board of Health back in the 70s during my I interned in the summers. Karen was here. I used to
go up and say hi now and then. She never knew I was going to be hanging out in the office after that. And also uh other towns, but your field we're public health is a major umbrella of everything, including animal health. We deal with mosquito situations. I'm known
as the mosquito guy on the council. We deal with well we just dealt with various um um various pesticides that can kill other animals thanks to this >> and the rodent population and yeah >> so there's a lot >> and obviously your background you can
easily learn the other areas too. It's not all about food inspections. There's a lot to deal with and and it's getting to the point now where we need people like you to be involved because with climate change and everything else, we're seeing more issues, especially
mosquito control and so forth and and various diseases caused by um various animals and so forth. So, uh with that said, and and I wanted to compliment you for helping us out with the Rotary Club events. You're very much involved with our community, so I couldn't say it
better. you're going to be a perfect candidate to be a board of health member. And with that said, I'm going to be unless there's no other questions, I'm going to ask for a vote. All in favor, you're on. Well, through the personnel committee, you've been appointed. This
will go back to the city council. And Karen, thank you. Or Dr. Patty, thank you so much. >> Thank you, Council Harmon. >> Thanks. >> Okay, now do we have anyone left? >> Yes, we do. Uh, last, thank you for waiting.
Jeffrey Goen is coming up to look into being a fire chief for a 5year term. It's >> number your mic up. >> All that went to waste. Sorry. Thank you, councelor. I got
>> We are now into order number 26-109652 and X2610009651, the appointment of Jeffrey Goen as fire chief for a 5-year term effective from the date of the city council confirmation. Welcome, Chief. >> Thank you. >> And you saw how we how I plan to run the
meeting. The same as the last three. So now you got a little idea. Um, which which committee member would like to councelor Ducet? >> I'm biased because we have connections outside of the council. Um,
so thank you for applying for the service. You know, I think it's actually important that there's someone in charge of the fire department that lives in the city and I think this is a huge advantage for us to have someone like that. Um, but why is this important to
you? >> Well, first let me say uh thank you for having me here tonight. It's an honor to be even considered for this job. Um, so why is it important to me? I think um well, as you said, it it is very helpful to have a a fire chief who lives in the
town, lives in the city. Um, but you know, I've been doing this for 25 years. I've been part of the department for 25 years. And um at this point it's kind of personal. You know I I um you know I believe in our department. I believe in our city. Um I think you know
with my um deep connection to the city here. Haven't been a lifelong resident. Um it means a lot and it means a lot. You know it's a um like I said it's an honor to be here and I and it's just uh I don't I look forward to the uh to the
challenges that uh that we that we're looking at going forward here. Thank you. >> Yeah, >> Council Naven, >> thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Um, thanks for that answer. Also, I thank you for your service to our community up until now. Um, and being willing to serve. Um, really appreciate that. Um,
>> we talk a lot here about the department, about uh the future of the department, about capital improvements that are needed for the department. Um, you briefly alluded to the challenges. Um, one of the things I'd like to ask you about is what do you see as kind of the the short-term challenges and the long-term challenges coming for the
department? >> Um, and you can include the new fire station uh need for it if you want or we can talk about it separately, but >> that's a that's a loaded question. It is. I hope you have time because I could go on for quite a while. >> Got a couple hours. >> Um, >> that's part of your last. Yeah. So, I
think obviously um you know our our main issue that we're facing and we've been talking about it since before I got hired here in 2001 was a need for a Westside Fire Station. So, I think there's actually a couple different uh problems that I'll kind of
lead into one. So, one is the need for the uh Westside Fire Station. The growth we've seen out in the west side of the city um has outpaced our department. Um, you know, luckily two years ago, we upgraded our records management system and we're now able to uh collect data
that we could never collect before. Um, for tracking purposes, we created a whole another district west of 495. And the NFPA set standards uh in regards to our response times. Um, and now that we can look at the data and analyze it, we
can see exactly where we're failing. So, yes, the need for the Westside Fire Station and our response times, but also our staffing as well. Um, we need to uh start planning as to what we're going to do as as the Westside Fire Station
develops, whether we're going to be uh adding personnel, reallocating resources, or combination of both. Um, so those are those are my two main ones. Um short term I think um there's kind of a big gap in regards to like succession
plan not succession planning but uh officer development. There's a lot of experienced guys who are leaving a department. Uh so it's really important to prep the next generation of firefighters or officers. Uh and I think we've made some uh pretty significant
improvements uh over the past couple years. And um that's one of my my short-term goals is to continue with that succession planning because, you know, I'm I'm nearing the end of my career and we just need to make sure uh that the next round of of people um is
ready to go because I I I can honestly say for the past nine years uh serving as as assistant fire chief, there has not been a part of running the department that I have not been a part of, you know, the succession planning um in my 25 years. I've never seen it like
it is today, you know, and it's really really important to uh to continue that trend uh and have the next leaders ready to go. >> Do you um following up on that, do you see a potential future use? Obviously, we're working everybody's working hard
to get a new station up. Do you see a potential future reuse for Pleasant Street as part of the plan for the department? >> That that is a a a large uh that's also a loaded question. It's a loaded question that, you know, I don't think I would be the only one um making that decision. You know, there should be a
collective group of counselors and the mayor and and uh you know, it depends on on on the support, you know, and and and the funding, you know, the department as uh you know, we internally we can only do so much to make our improvements. Yeah.
>> Right. >> We can only improve so much inside without the with the outside support. So, um, as to what happens with station two, I I don't have an answer to that. I mean, >> um, >> that's very fair. >> You know, whether it's a three-station concept or a four. >> Um, but the time to start planning is is
is now. >> Why um why is the mobile fire department the best department uh around? >> Why is it the best? Because this is my hometown. You know, this is the only department I've I I can't say it's the only department I've been I've been a part of. I started my career in Sbury as a dispatcher in 96. I got hired in '98,
but I wanted to come work in my hometown, you know. So, this is um I think we're the best department around. We're busy, you know. Um we have a great group of people down there who work uh come to work every day and um they make the place run. So,
>> it's great. >> It's easy. It's easy to come to work, you know. So, >> that's great. Mr. Chair, I'm sure many people want to take a crack at this one. I would also offer a motion to approve. >> Okay. A motion has been made to approve and seconded. >> Point of information. >> Yep. >> So,
>> you didn't read the letter, but there's a contract. >> Yes. >> Job description in the appointment. So, make sure you specify what you're approving. >> All three. >> So, the motion was to approve all three. >> Yes.
>> As noted. >> I can amend it. Yep. >> Thank you, Mr. President. You know, just so we get you situated properly. Um, with that noted, uh, further discussion, I know a committee member wants to ask a few more questions and then I'll get to the other counselors. By all means.
>> Yeah. Thank Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, actually, I think you kind of ended it because you you to you at there was one point you did an end point about talking about this fire department, but it was an open-ended whether or not it was going to be a jab or a compliment. Sounds like overall it's a compliment.
You know, that Malber was actually in very good shape, and that's good to hear. Um, you know, do you think, uh, the I know for a couple years in the past there was a lot of overtime being paid. Um, is that now that we getting the staffing going up, is there less
overtime being covered at this point? >> Well, um, you know, a lot of the staffing uh falls on the it's a contractual issue, right? >> Yeah. Um so you know obviously until you can reduce if you don't reduce the
amount of contractual time off um what we do do is we monitor sick leave use uh we have monitored sick leave use and we have conversations every year if somebody's using excessive sick leave uh we have addressed those that has gone down uh there were some contractual
changes in regards to uh incentivizing sick leave buyback um So, I know recently we've had some high months in regards to overtime expenditures, but um I think a lot of that had to do with first of all it ran
into your school vacation weeks. First of the year, all the employees, all the members get front-loaded their time off. Um and then also we have had a significant amount of people with uh out of work related. We've had a couple workrelated injuries, but we've also had
some um extended leaves of absences or or use of time >> uh for for other re, you know, >> many reasons. So, we do monitor it, you know, um um we monitored, you know, the last two storms we had once, you know, winter
storm warning went into effect, contractually we can stop people from taking leave, which we did. So, we do what we can. We operate within the contract. Um and you know um the other thing that we did that probably has increased our overtime slightly was not
long ago probably two two and a half years ago we implemented uh we placed in a service squad one which I'm sure many of you seen it's a light duty rescue um which runs out of station 2 and that is only in service from 8:00 in the morning till 6:00 at night and that truck was
designed as an impact truck uh to lessen the burden on engine two and to free up that truck for, you know, fire suppression calls, whereas the squad is primarily running on our first due medicals in the west side of the city. >> And it's only in service maybe 40 to 45%
of the time. Uh if our staffing drops below a minimum um minimum amount, so during the day, our minimum is 16 personnel. At night, if we drop to below that 16, the truck comes out of service. >> Uh and we'll run down to 14. Um, but I
can honestly say uh that truck is the busiest truck in the city and it's only in service 40 to 45% of the time. So, >> okay. >> So, you know, we do what we can. Um, you know, I I'll advocate for, you know, our
our staffing. Um, and um hope that answer your question. >> Yep. and and if the committee members and other councils can bear with me and I apologize to the other applicants that have been here, but I will read the letter from the mayor and for the other
people that we reviewed tonight. I'll read those on the city council floor when we meet. But I'd like to read the letter of February 5th, 2026 to the council president Oing and the Marbor city councilors. Dear councelor President Oing and counselors, I am pleased to submit for your This is from
the mayor. I am pleased to submit for your review and approval the employment contract and job description for our new fire chief Jeffrey Goan for a five-year term. Chief Goan brings more than two decades of fire service experience, a deep understanding of the Marro
community, and a proven record of leadership that continues to strengthen public safety for both residents and visitors. He began his career in 1996 as a dispatcher in Sudbury. worked with someone I know and joined the Marro Fire
Department in 2001. Over the past 25 years, he has served the department with distin distinction, rising through every operational and administrative rank from firefighter to assistant fire chief. Most recent most recently as chief of
operations, Chief Goen oversaw the daily operations of a seven 73 member department, led major apparatus procurement projects, participated in collective bargaining negotiations, and ensured compliance with all applicable
fire safety national organizations. Throughout his career, Chief Goen has demonstrated steady discipline leadership during complex emergencies, including multi- alarm fires, hazardous materials incidents, and natural
disasters. He is widely respected for his calm decision-making, commitment to accountability, and emphasis on preparedness and firefighter safety. As fire chief, Chief Goen brings a leadership philosophy
rooted in service instilled in him from his military career, integrity, and collaboration. He prioritizes professional development, mentorship, and a people first approach while maintaining high standards of
operational excellence. His leadership continues to build trust within the department, our office, and the community. For these reasons, I am seeking the approval to Chief Jeffrey Goen's contract and look forward to his leadership of the Marro Fire Department.
Sincerely, Mayor Christian Dumis. Thank you for letting me read that. I should have read that at the beginning and very very remarkable letter. Thank you. >> With that said, any other committee members have questions at this point? We can always come back if you do. With that said, I see councel Vital raising
his hand. I will get to the other side as well. Council Vital, >> thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you for your service, Chief. >> Thank you. >> Um, couple things, maybe some tough questions. Um, I really admire how you advocate for your your staff and for,
you know, you mentioned a fourth fire station and so forth and so the state is indicating, now here comes the the tough question. The state is indicating that we may not receive as much money as we have in the past. LA we're just coming off a a year and you living in town know
that the property taxes went up significantly um the highest in in memory to our residents here in town. How do you balance advocating and supporting your department while at the same time advocating and supporting the residents
of Marro? >> Uh well that's a good question. I mean, the the the issues that we face, I think, are no different than a lot of the other departments around, right? You're being asked to do more with less. Um, you know,
we're not we're not slowing down. Our department is not slowing down. This year, we responded to the most amount of calls uh for service ever. It was uh it was over 9,200 calls this year. Um, so, you know, when when we start to look
forward to um a new station, whether we're adding personnel or um you know, there's grant opportunities out there, safer grants that you could apply for. Um, you know, that can help take the burden off. Um, you know, those are certain, you know, certainly things that
you can talk about and explore. Um, but, you know, it it's it's it's tough. It's a tough it's a hard balance, you know. Um I'm not doing my job if I'm not reporting to you as the chief to say, you know, this
is what could happen if we don't. I know, you know, it may be looked at as, you know, doom and gloom, but um I'm not doing my job if I'm not reporting uh what we need, you know, and the standards that we go by, you know, they're national standards. They're not just um you know, what we've decided.
you know, NFPA 1710 breaks down a lot of that, and I wouldn't bore you with all those stats. If you ever want to come down and talk to me about them, I'm glad to show them to you. But it's it's a you know, being a being a resident myself, I you know, I saw the increase in my tax bill this year. Uh I appreciate what you
guys do. Um keeping it as low as possible. Um, but it's it's it's a it's a fine line that it's a balancing act and uh you know we do what we can but the fact that we're getting busier and
busier um you know the data that we have is there and it shows that you know and that west side of the city that that district 4 that we created west of 495 we're only making it to a call within a standard of of you know I think it's it's it's 33% of the time that we're
making it there in less than four minutes. So, um, you know, it'd love to have a firet truck in every corner, but I understand we can't. Um, but >> thank you. It's tough. I >> Yeah, it's I I wouldn't necessarily want to be a department head in the city, you know, particularly in the upcoming
months ahead. >> One more question, something that you ticked on and I was kind of curious to know if you know, and that is how many years do we have you here? How many what >> how many years do you hope to stay with the fire department? >> Well, it's a five-year contract. I mean,
I'm I'm I'm nearing the end of my career. Um, you know, I would I intend to stay the five years. Beyond that, >> you'd have to ask my wife, >> but a minimum of five years. >> Yes. >> Very good. Thank you, Chief. Thank you,
Mr. Chair. >> Council. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh good evening, Chief. Um you know, from for me personally, what you bring to the uh to the city of Auburn and also to the fire department is exactly what you said, leadership. Um and I know for the over the last couple years, we've always as a
council have talking about has talked about succession planning. You're a byproduct of that succession plan and I'm I'm glad to hear that you're going to continue that in your department um and moving this department in the direction that has been given to you going forward to being positive. Um, so
all I can say is I'm looking very much forward to having a working relationship with you and it'll be fun to see how it goes during the budget hearings, but uh on a professional level uh and your leadership, I'm very happy to see that you are going to be our chief for the Mro Fire Department. Thank you.
>> Well, thank you. I um you know for the past 10 years as assistant chief I've had the uh pleasure to work under Chief Breen and there was not a part of that department that I did not um take part in you know and um Chief Emanuelson's
here tonight. Uh he's been involved as well. And you know our goal I say our goal because it's both of us kind of a team concept down there is that we want to make sure we keep that going. Um, you know, cuz when I retire, I'm probably not leaving. I'm still going to live here. So, it's to my best interest to
make sure we uh succeed. >> Very good. Thank you, Chief. >> Thank you, Council Irish. Council Councelor Fchill. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Chief, for being here. Um, I know you had mentioned in your response to some of Council Vital's comments that you, you know, your willingness to sit down and discuss the data, and I know I've had
the privilege to do that with you and Chief Breen and Chief Emanuel on a couple of occasions. Um, you know, I think it's that kind of leadership that I really look for in a lot of our department heads and I recognize with a lot of our department heads that you're both a data-driven leader, right? You understand, you know, how important these numbers are to the safety of our
community, the safety of our residents, but on top of that, that intuition, right? You have you have had every operational and administrative rank here at this fire department, right? You have been in those shoes. You know what it's like to be in every position of the city. And so for that, you know, I those
are two things, two qualities that I hold in very high regard. and I've always appreciated the professionalism that we've had um over the last couple of years and I know you touched on it briefly and hate to bore people with the data but the fact that 33% of calls in district 4 right we're responding to you
know with below the standard the four-minute standard that NFPA st assigns for us that trend will continue I assume kind of just based on what you're looking >> at I mean we're like I said we're not slowing down our >> we're just getting busier and busier
>> and uh I quickly had some data here today. Um that you know, how can I say it? Uh hold on one second. Let me just make sure I have my facts right here. So our our busiest section out in the
west side of the city, um like I said, district 2 was such a wide district. We split it into two, made district four. Um and with that increased call volume out there um what's happening is that you know multiple times a day we're
running multiple calls simultaneous calls. So when you start running simultaneous calls in one side of the city particularly district 2 you exhaust the resources in that district and when you get a simultaneous call now you run out of crew from from headquarters out that way. So that was why increasing the
staffing, adding that squad one truck out there, uh alleviated a lot of the burden out there. But again, it's only half the day. So um you know, it it's certainly not going to go away, you know. So you know, a combined approach
of, you know, reallocating resources. >> Headquarters down here has the most amount of resources in one of the slower districts, you know. So, uh, but the unfortunate part is at district two, station two, you you can't even fit a modern fire truck in there now. You know, you got to you got
to buy a specialty sized truck for that. And I live in district two, so um there's nobody more interested in it than me. So, yeah. So, it it's not going to go away. Um the only way to is just to try to, you know, address it.
>> No, thank you, Chief. I appreciate I think that that data and just kind of that mindset is just so important, especially for folks at home, right, to get a little bit of taste of what what we're talking about, especially when we talk about Westside Fire Station and some of the numbers behind this. So, um, definitely in support of of your candidacy here, and I appreciate you
stepping up and, um, thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you for the time. Welcome, counselor. >> I have a couple questions. Um it was brought up the budget and you know you brought up national standards >> and if we start going below standards
what's the result to our fire insurance that we all have to buy for our homes? >> Yeah I um I'm drawn a blank on it. We got the uh >> I've heard it goes up if you don't have a fire department such as on calls and
small >> Yeah. I mean, it it goes by, you know, they they evaluate everything from your training to your staffing to your uh your hydrants. Um I'm not I'm not sure if they evaluate the um the response times. They might
they might take it all into effect. Um but I I'm I don't think we're in danger of of going backwards in regards to the insurance. Um but you know it's more of you know the delayed response times you
know fires fires burn faster hotter um you know with the with the modern day materials that are in houses. So that's why you know it's important to try to you know I think it's I think it's four minutes four minutes they expect a truck first arriving truck on scene. Um and
and we're not making that in the west side of the city. We're not making it any side of the city too in some areas, but you know, again, you can't have a fire truck in every corner. You just got to try to do the best you can to staff and position them the best you can. >> And that'll be important discussion during our budget reviews. So, which is coming up very soon actually. But thank
you for that. On that note, I worked for a town that actually had their own ambulance service, and I've heard pros and cons that they're doing okay with it. Town of Ashland, just to be transparent. Uh but it may not be a win-win in every city in
town. Um h has there been any discussion on this fire department providing the ambulance service? >> Um >> is it too political to >> No, I mean it, you know, listen, uh we've had a great relationship with Patriot and Star. Um
>> they've been great to work with. They're almost like part of our department. A lot of the people were there a long time. Um but you know, they're for-profit companies. They're not doing it for free. Um there are a lot of neighboring cities and towns, the probably the majority of them run their own ambulance service. Um but I I think
if it's done the right way, um it's certainly a revenue, you know, for the department and you can fund positions, you can buy new apparatus, you could you could you could pay for fire stations. Um but I would be I would be lying to you
if I told you I knew anything about running an ambulance service. I I haven't worked in an ambulance in uh 25 years since I was in Sudbury. Um but you know it it it's not a bad thing to explore someday down the road.
>> Uh but it is a it is a is a large undertaking that does not happen overnight and um you know like I said it can create some revenue for for >> offset your your salaries. Thank you for that answer because I'm always looking at how can we generate revenue not just
>> right you certainly can and I mean uh but you're going to be you're going to be chasing people for money and uh >> there'll be more people power needs but what what brings it to mind a lot I grew up in District 2 I guess I grew up on Mount Pleasant Street and I used to play
in that fire station with Cuty Nicholas's son but back to the issue of that fire station that could fit an ambulance in there. Could it not? Or a couple. Yeah, it's tough. I know. >> It just doesn't modern fire apparash. It
>> it understandable. Engine 2 down. Sorry, they're jotting down everything. But that's for another day, another discussion. But I just wanted to get a feel for where you were. Uh I'm fortunate to serve with some of Mar's citizens on the LEAPC, the local emergency planning committee, and the
medical reserve corps. in most cities and towns has fallen away but starting to come back because the state's allowing people to serve their communities not the whole state. So if we have a blizzard like they had down in Fall River New Bedford and they needed
citizens who are trained in medical reserve corps and it can be people that are medical or non-medical. Um I hope we can continue with that. I know officer Fred Flynn's doing a great job with it. I can't make all the meetings, but again, I I just want to know where your
commitment is to the LAPC, the MRC, and the citizens. Um, >> yeah. So, they um >> group, >> they've been meeting obviously they meet monthly uh at the fire station. Uh Fred been doing a good job. He has a couple of um dedicated volunteers down there
that work with him. Um I think that the the medical reserve corps I thought they were kind of going away towards almost towards a state uh regional type uh >> but I think >> I think they've been trying to come back trying to resurrect um
>> you know the local aspect of it's it's an important thing you know if we have to open shelters up you know those are the people that going to be showing up with the Red Cross as well. Um, so yeah, it is a or I know I know Fred's always looking for volunteers. >> Yeah. No, I didn't mean to make an
announcement of it, but it is a a needed position and maybe various people listening in right now will think about joining the medical reserve and it's part of the health department and part of the fire department working hand. >> Yeah, we're working hand in hand with the uh >> having trained the EOC down there. So,
>> yep. Yep. The EOC. Thank you. Um, the only thing I was going to reflect on is the fact that you're you're a team leader, and I don't mean a point. You're a team leader, and that is so important. And I think it reflects I see it reflecting already on your department. I
saw a couple of your firefighters down at Price Choppers just recently and just rolled the window down and said, "Hey, I think they got more groceries than they do. What's going on here?" And they were laughing. It it just reflects that they're community people and they can they're not in any way reflecting any
differently from the leader of the department. So all I can say to you is thank you. >> We need things like we need that. With that said, any other discussion or no? Okay. With that said, we voted. Did we vote? If not, I'm going to take the
vote. A vote for the approval of fire chief Jeffrey Goen for both the contract, the employment contract, and the job description, Mr. President. Is that correct? Is that the motion? >> You said three. >> One, but three things. The contract, >> description, and I guess you want
appointments chief >> and the appointment. So, those three things we're voting on. Committee members, all in favor? >> This will be on the next city council meeting and we'll move forward. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. And with that said, >> motion to approve. Motion to adjurnn.
>> You want to approve and adjurnn. Okay. Motion to adjurnn is in order. All in favor? >> We are journ at 7:15.