BOSTON – Senator Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury) and Representative Hannah E. Kane (R-Shrewsbury) announced on Monday that the Senate and House of Representatives enacted legislation that would exempt the newly-created Shrewsbury Deputy Fire Chief position from Civil Service.
The legislation, which was filed pursuant to a vote taken by Shrewsbury Town Meeting Members in May of this year, has the full support of the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager Dan Morgado and Fire Chief James Vuona.
The Shrewsbury Fire Department was established in 1921 and opted into Civil Service in 1953. Currently, the Fire Department consists of a Chief, four Captains and thirty-two Firefighters. Since 1960, the Town has systematically removed positions from Civil Service including Call Firefighters, the Police Chief and, most recently, all remaining positions in the Town other than uniformed members of the Police and Fire Department.
A public hearing was held in July by the Joint Committee on Public Service. Sen. Moore and Rep. Kane submitted testimony to encourage the Committee to act favorably on the bill. After careful review, the Committee issued a favorable report and the bill was subsequently enacted by both legislative chambers with unanimous support.
"I greatly appreciate the time and effort that Senator Moore, Representative Kane and their staffs have invested in advancing public safety initiatives,” said Chief Vuona after the public hearing earlier this year. “The creation of the Deputy Fire Chief position is a significant step towards enhancing both the safety for our Firefighters as well as the overall service delivery to the community."
“Local officials and residents of Shrewsbury have cited the need for this civil service exemption and I am pleased to have delivered a legislative response,” said Sen. Moore. “I look forward to continuing my strong support for initiatives that strengthen the safety, security and wellbeing of the entire community, and provide first responders with the tools needed to deliver critical emergency services to local residents.”
“As a Shrewsbury Finance Committee and Town Meeting Member, I supported the effort to exempt the Deputy Fire Chief from civil service and I am pleased to see this legislation pass through the House as my first piece of legislation,” said Rep. Kane. “Supporting Public Safety and the men and women who serve our community in this role will always be a top priority for me. Senator Moore and I worked together to successfully move the bill through the House and Senate so that the Town could meet its intended goal of hiring a Deputy Fire Chief in early 2016.”
UPDATE: The legislation was signed into law by by the Governor on December 9, 2015 as Chapter 150 of the Acts of 2015.