Hiring policy questioned
Published on March 18th, 1998
STONEHAM, MA - Calling it "necessary to have people ready to assume positions," Selectman Patrick Jordan broached the subject of the town's policy of hiring police officers at Wednesday night's Board of Selectmen meeting. Detailed discussion and decisions, however, were put off until an upcoming meeting when Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting could provide more exact information regarding Civil Service procedures.
Nutting, who was absent from the meeting due to illness, will be asked to respond to Jordan's suggestion that the town consider starting the appointment process for new police officers before there is an actual need. This idea first came at an earlier Selectmen meeting.
Previously, Jordan had suggested that the hiring process for two police officers be immediate, since the process of appointment and training is a lengthy one. However, with the recent and unexpected death of Officer M. Daniel Smith, Jordan suggested last week that three hirings be considered.
Town Counsel William Solomon told the Board that Nutting had contacted the Civil Service regarding the hiring of a third person from the Civil Service list in the days after Smith's death.
Although the Selectmen agree with Jordan's suggestion of being proactive in the hiring process, they remain unsure over the workings of the Civil Service list. Selectman Cosmo Ciccarello offered his belief that "once you call for a list, you have to appoint."
Others questioned the legality of hiring from a current list or the calling for a new list. Police Dispatcher Paul Norton voiced his concern over using the current list for an additional officer and also questioned whether what was being proposed would go against the "laws of civil service." He was also concerned about the status of himself and others "who keep getting pushed back on the list."
Auxiliary Police Officer Thomas Day stated that he had been told that for every one police officer needed, a list of three names was supposed to be furnished by Civil Service. In addition, he said, another name should be added to the list. Therefore, for three appointments, as Jordan suggested, a list of l0 should be provided.
Selectman John Biggio suggested that the town would benefit from working from a varied list of applicants to assure the greatest crosssection of available applicants.
Board Chairman Albert Conti stated that Jordan's suggestion was a good one, but said that discussions should not continue without first understanding how to proceed within the laws of the Civil Service. Such information, as well as Nutting's input, will be obtained and the discussion will continue at an upcoming Selectmen meeting.
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