Strong Chief Status for Fire Chief up for Vote at Town Meeting

Town Meeting hasn't had much controversy through the first two nights, as nearly every vote has been an overwhelming majority.

That may not be the case when Article 29 (and its companion, Article 30) reach the floor of the Natick High School auditorium.

Article 29 seeks the vote to revoke the Strong Chief Status of the Natick Fire Chief that is under chapter 48, sections 42, 43 and 44 that establishes the fire department under the control of the Fire Chief. This law has been in effect in Natick since 1924.

Article 30 seeks a vote to establish the fire department under the Board of Selectmen.

"They make it sound like Chief [James] Sheridan can do whatever he wants now," firefighter Danny Hartwell, President of Local 1707, said. "But the Finance Committee, Selectmen and Town Meeting have to approve [budget-related items]."

Hartwell explained that Sheridan has a budget that's split into two categories: salary and wages and the other part has equipment and other expenses. He said that the way things are now, Sheridan has the ability to make decisions on equipment and supplies purchases based on need. Hartwell gave the example of how you can never predict how many fires or medical calls there are, and sometimes there are more than you have had in prior years, so if they are running low on something as simple as bandages in the ambulances, the chief can make the decision to purchase more without going through the extra steps of having to get it approved by the Board of Selectmen.

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Sheridan is a lifelong Natick firefighter who rose up through the ranks and has been the Chief of the Department, which has 84 firefighters, for about five years. Hartwell argues that no one would know better about what equipment and supplies is needed and necessary than the fire chief.

"The Chief doesn't spend money on things we don't need," Hartwell said.

Hartwell also pointed out the quality of service the Natick Fire Department provides to the town.

"We have an excellent response time," he said, noting they get to almost anywhere in Natick in 2-3 minutes. "Our response time is outstanding. They've been the best. The Selectmen never looked at the delivery of service. They never asked to talk to us."

There's a sense of unappreciation from the firefighters, according to Hartwell. He mentioned that over the last several years the Town of Natick has grown in population, with many new developments and commercial properties being built. Despite the increased number of people and buildings, the fire department has stayed roughly the same size. Because of this, there are times when the Chief has had to approve overtime, which he's then had to explain and been criticized for. Hartwell doesn't think that's fair because, like with the example for which equipment you need to replace, there's no way to guess when a fire will break out and how much manpower it'll take to put out and perform any medical duties.

"This town has never wanted to re-invest," Hartwell said. "They don't want to pay for the services."

Hartwell also mentioned that the fire department's two ambulances bring in close to $2 million in revenue to the town. He fears what would happen if Article 29 is approved and the Strong Chief Status is removed for the Fire Chief.

"There'll be a political puppet running the fire department," he said, explaining that it would make a fire chief fear losing his job if he were to disagree with the Selectmen and make his own decision on something that differed from their opinions. "By taking the Strong Chief away it makes the position a political puppet."

Hartwell said that it's worked for all these years and that there's no good reason to change. Asked why he thinks they suddenly want to remove the Strong Chief Status, he replied, "I don't think they like the guy in the front office."

Chief Sheridan is civil service.