Norwood STM Gets Fired Up Over Article On New Fire Chief's Term

NORWOOD, MA - The mood over Norwood's Special Town Meeting, held Monday, Oct. 18, was somber as the community was stunned by the unexpected death of Selectman David Hajjar on Oct. 16.

"David was the epitome of a hard-working, interested and very caring volunteer and servant to our town," said Town Moderator David Hern. "I would ask you to keep David and his family in your thoughts and prayers, in sorrow and in gratitude, for all that he was for us and did for us and did for our town."

"The Board of Selectmen mourns the sudden death of our colleague, David Hajjar," added Board of Selectmen Chair Tom Maloney, pointing to Hajjar's portrait in front of the chair where he would have sat. "David was much loved by those who knew him best and widely liked by his fellow townspeople. He was universally respected for his devotion to the town's welfare and for his diligence in pursuinig measures by which to achieve it."

It was an evening of passage on another front, as Hern, the town moderator for 18 terms, announced that this would be his final time presiding over Town Meeting.

"It has been for me a great privilege to serve this body and serve the town as moderator," he said. "And I've enjoyed almost every minute of it. The job has its challenges and has had its challenges, but I've enjoyed them."

When it came time to debate the five warrant articles in the first of two Town Meetings of the evening, the atmosphere quickly turned heated. Article One, the most contentious, proposed a home rule petition to the state legislature that would allow recently-appointed Fire Chief David Hayes to continue in his role until the age of 70 rather than retire at the state-required age of 65 for that position. He has served in the department for 28 years. After a protracted debate involving union leaders and the public, the article passed narrowly, 64-54.

The entire meeting can be viewed on the NCM link here.

Maloney explained the rationale for proposing the article, stressing the urgency for it to be passed that evening. Because it is expected to take between 12 and 18 months to navigate its way through the State House for approval, Maloney said the vote could not be delayed because Hayes is 63. If the bill stalls, Hayes will be forced to retire at age 65.

"We desire certainly and continuity in that role," Maloney said, noting the same thing was done three years before for police Chief William Brooks. He explained that, if Hayes has to retire at 65, this will lead to the appointment of the fourth chief in a decade.

"Chief Hayes is our guy," he added.

The debate over the article opened up a series of old wounds in the Fire Department. Hayes's predecessor, George Morrice, was given a vote of no confidence by the department before his retirement. Union members also spoke about a lack of communication between themselves and department leadership, the Board of Selectmen and General Manager Tony Mazzucco when they attempted to address their concerns about the petition.

"I don't really have the time to get done the things that I believe really need to be done," Hayes explained, noting the safety of the residents and his colleagues was his chief priority. "So I have asked the town to allow me to stay past 65. However you vote tonight, you have my word that my priorities will remain the same however long I remain in Norwood."

The article does not guarantee that Hayes will serve until age 70, but it gives the town the flexibility to retain him unless there is just cause for the general manager to remove him.

Norwood Firefighters Local 1631 Union President Paul Ronco described the past three years in the department as "tumultuous to say the least," adding, "It all comes down to communication."

"We had quite a difficult time, not only with the past chief but also with the communication between the fire union and the Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager," he said.

Ronco stressed that there was no dialogue with the union members about putting the article on the warrant beforehand.

While Ronco, a department veteran, said that the situation has improved since Hayes took over as chief, Hayes had only served in the position for 47 days at the time of the vote.

"I think it sets some precedents that could hurt us down the road," he added. "The union is just asking for some time."

Ronco sought to postpone the vote until the spring so that everyone could discuss the issue. He stressed that it was "not personal" against Hayes, but about the lack of procedure.

He also said he spoke with state Rep. John Rogers, who represents Norwood. Ronco said Rogers told him he knew nothing about the article which would put the home rule petition before him for consideration.

Union secretary Dennis Mawn also asked for a delay.

"This isn't about personalities," he said, moving for an indefinite postponement. "This is about the process."

He noted that the atmosphere has drastically improved in the department since Hayes took over.

Hern explained that a motion for indefinite postponement technically constituted as a "no" vote. He said Mawn's motion "clouded the issue" and ruled the motion out of order.

"I'm inclined to vote no on this because, quite honestly, it's frustrating to have the administration and the Fire Department fighting again at Town Meeting," said Katie Neal-Rizzo. She asked if the article could be amended to reduce the proposed retirement age to 67 to give the department time to evaluate Hayes's performance.

Mazzucco clarified that the original motion would allow the chief to continue to age 70 if approved. This does not guarantee that he would stay, because he could leave or be terminated only for cause. This is not the same as a contract.

Cheryl Doyle said the motion should be approved in order to give Hayes, who has been with the department for decades, to give him the opportunity "to bridge that gap" in communication.

"Right now, it just seems like the fire house is in turmoil," she said. "If it stays in turmoil, how do you have the people in the town of Norwood be able to be comfortable that things are going to get done and the calls are going to be answered?"

Hayes addressed the body, saying that he told the union that he would be pursuing the age extension when he applied for the chief's position this summer.

After a prolonged debate, the motion to amend the age to 67 was defeated by a majority vote. The original motion was passed 64-54.

After the meeting, Hayes said he was happy with the decision.

"This will allow me to continue the work that I have started," he said.