Fire Chief Reports Worn Equipment As Maintenance Dispute Simmers-September 5, 1979

Fire Chief Thomas J. Barry Jr. delivered a frank status report to selectmen on the condition of the town’s firefighting fleet, describing the eight department vehicles—averaging 14 years in age—as heavily worn and difficult to maintain following the recent resignation of the department’s sole in-house mechanic.

Chief Barry addressed recent concerns after two frontline trucks failed to respond to a house fire due to mechanical breakdowns, with a third backup vehicle blocked from leaving the station by a disabled unit. While those vehicles have since been repaired, Barry noted that Firefighter John P. Caron, previously assigned to maintenance, requested a return to regular firefighting duties out of frustration. The department’s maintenance struggles have been exacerbated by a prolonged standoff with the Finance Commission over funding part-time mechanics and vacation schedules. Although the FinCom ultimately approved a $4,344 reserve fund transfer for repairs, FinCom Chairman Allan D. Howard opposed replenishing maintenance funds before they were formally exhausted.

Meanwhile, Local 1631 of the International Association of Firefighters issued a scathing statement condemning Chairman Howard’s public insinuations that equipment failure might have involved intentional tampering. Terming the allegations “demeaning, deplorable and insulting,” the union declared, “No one, but no one, would ever tamper with lifesaving equipment. We have loved ones at home and would be jeopardizing our own families.” Selectmen postponed a requested meeting with the union, instructing firefighters to submit their grievances through proper administrative channels.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger