Rochester Fire Chief Scott Weigel is a man of many hats, and the Rochester Board of Selectmen recognized that this Monday evening in order to avoid any Conflict of Interest issues that could’ve resulted had they not taken the proper precautions.
The Board approved two certifications under Conflict of Interest laws that are intended to prevent municipal employees from working for a municipality while conducting business for personal gain.
Weigel, who is a part-time Fire Chief and who works at Old Colony as a teacher in the Automotive Department, also plows for the town of Rochester, but only on an emergency basis, according to Board Chair Naida Parker.
“That’s why he’s a part-time fire chief and not a full time fire chief,” said Parker.
Town Administrator Richard LaCamera said that the Board made the announcement and signed the certifications to acknowledge that “(they are) aware of “ and “comfortable with” Weigel performing other duties within the town.
In other news, LaCamera made the Board aware of the state of the town’s current nine-year contract with Comcast, which expires in December of 2014, and said that they’d need to get to work on a new contract in the near future. He said their contract with Verizon does not expire for at least a few more years.
“We’re going to have to get going on that early this spring,” he said.
The Board also approved several Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) license renewals for those in town with licenses, including Lloyd’s Market, Adrian’s Package Store, Plumb Corner Market of Rochester, Rochester Golf Club, and Matt’s Blackboard
“They’ve all been checked out to make sure there’s no violations,” said LaCamera.
The Board also unanimously approved a motion to write-off delinquent accounts for some smaller ambulance bills from the town, none of which totaled more than $100.
“We do our best to try to make all the collections that we can,” said LaCamera, noting that the total was no more then $500 or so. “It’s just not worth the effort to go and get $25.
The next meeting of the Board of Selectmen is Monday, December 23, at 6:30 p.m.
By Nick Waleka
