Thursday, May 12, 2011
Firefighter Resignations
The town manager reported that two members of the Wolfeboro Fire Rescue Department had resigned. FF's Daryl Morales and Chris Stevens are both joining the Rochester Fire Department. Reportedly they scored at the top the list of three firefighters the Lilac City is hiring. Although the town has gone through a difficult period with its firefighters, rescinding recognition of their union last September (a move which the union fought in Superior Court and lost) Owen said the reasons given were the pay was higher and, for one firefighter, working in Rochester meant a shorter commute. Morales had joined the department in 2007 and Stevens in 2004.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Dump Truck Fire
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Wolfeboro's "Mountain Division" skis to first place
Sports Editor - Granite State News, Carroll County Independent, Meredith News, Gilford Steamer, Winnisquam Echo and Baysider
April 04, 2011
NEWRY, Maine — The Wolfeboro Fire-Rescue Department sends a team of skiers to Sunday River every year as part of a fundraiser for the Maine Handicapped Skier Program and every year the participants have a lot of fun and get to compete against teams from all over New England.
This year, however, the local guys came out of the experience with a little more than the good feeling they get helping out and the joy of competing. They came out as the top team in competition.
"It's very surprising," said team captain Firefighter/EMT Bob Shilo. "We would've been happy for a personal best or maybe a top five."
The Wolfeboro "Mountain Division" put together a first run of 38.47 seconds, which held up throughout the entire day, with 19 other teams competing on March 27.
Shilo noted that the team began hearing whispers as the awards ceremony neared that they had come home on top, but they still found it hard to believe.
"We thought we did OK, middle of the pack and we would've been fine with that," Shilo said. "We were there, had a good time, raised money, but to actually win it, wow."
The race involves a five-man team racing down the mountain holding a fire hose, which is 50 feet in length. The firefighters have to wear their full turnout gear, including the helmet, jacket and pants while negotiating a 13-gate giant slalom course.
The Wolfeboro team, which consists of Shilo, Lt. Frank Bellefleur, firefighter/EMT Daryl Morales, firefighter/EMT Chris Stevens and firefighter/EMT Robbie Black and is coached by Lt. Dave Brackett (retired). It was Brackett who got the team started six years ago, when he recruited a few skiers to join him in helping out the MHS program, in which he was active in.
One daunting concern for the Wolfeboro team coming into the race was the fact that the members had never skied together before. In fact, it was Black's first time ever competing in the event.
"He's a good skier and he was able to catch on quickly," Shilo said.
If any member lets go of the line, it is a one-second penalty. All five members must cross the finish line, so if someone falls, it's usually a disqualification.
"If one person slips up just a little, it's a good slide," Shilo said. "But we have the aerodynamics of an elephant."
Each team gets two runs, but the Wolfeboro team didn't finish their second run, so the first one was the one that counted. However, that was enough. The top eight teams finished less than three seconds apart, with Wolfeboro clocking in at 38.47 second, Livermore Falls (Maine) clocking in at 38.93 seconds and Bethel (Maine) in 39.27 seconds.
"When we go up there, we see teams coming down the hill, they are intimidating, they look like a single unit," Shilo said. "And we didn't have any time together."
While winning was nice, Shilo said the Wolfeboro contingent was just happy to contribute to such a great cause.
"Anything we can do to benefit them (handicapped skiers) and get them out there is good," Shilo stated. "They raise an awful lot of money."
In addition to the firemen's race, there was a Ski-A-Thon the previous day in which $297,000 was raised for the handicapped skier program. Bellefleur and Stevens along with their families got in quite a few runs during that event as well. There was also a chili cook-off, with nine or 10 restaurants chipping in with their best recipes.
"They make it a very good event," Shilo said, praising Sunday River for contributing the ski tickets and all the advertising and publicity.
The Wolfeboro contingent was also happy to earn Lt. Brackett a few bragging rights in the local pubs, as he now spends a good deal of his time in the Sunday River area.
Shilo noted he is hoping to work with Abenaki Water Ski Club this summer to help get disabled water skiers on the water. The Wolfeboro Fire-Rescue Department has also helped out the Granite State Adaptive Sports program, including once hosting a race at Abenaki in Wolfeboro.
The department's signature fundraising efforts continues to be for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (Jerry's Kids), which many members have participated in over the past 15 years.
For more information on the Maine Handicapped Skier Program, visit http://www.skimhs.org/.
http://www.newhampshirelakesandmountains.com/Articles-c-2011-04-04-153607.113119-Wolfeboros-Mountain-Division-skis-to-first-place.html#123
Monday, March 28, 2011
Mar. 27, 2011- For the Sixth season Wolfeboro Firefighters competed in the Sunday River Firefighters Ski Race/ Chili Cook-off. Wolfeboro's team this year consisting of Ret. Lt. Dave Brackett, Lt. Frank Bellefleur, FF Chris Stevens, FF Daryl Morales, Call FF Bob Shilo, and Call FF Robbie Black. Wolfeboro was proud to take home First Place. All the funds and team registrations go to the Maine Handicapped Program.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Mva on South Main St
Mar. 20, 2011- Grp. 3- E4 responded to an MVA (Truck into a River) on South Main St. 1 Person was Transported.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wolfeboro firefighters tell their side of the story
BY CATHERINE BROADBENT
D'AMBRUOSO
Communications Director Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire [Editor’s Note: In the interest of fairness we asked the Professional Fire Fighters of Wolfeboro to present their side of the dispute with the Town of Wolfeboro that led first to the town’s decision to rescind recognition of the firefighters union and then a decision by Carroll County Superior Court Judge Steven Houran upholding the town’s action – a decision that Judge Houran has agreed to rehear on March 31. The following account was submitted in response to that request.]
On June 21, 1996, the Wolfeboro New Hampshire Fire Fighters became affiliated with the International Association of Fire Fighters. This move provided them with better education, fraternal benefits and instant relationships with fire fighters locally and nationwide. In the mid-1990s the Professional Fire Fighters of Wolfeboro, IAFF Local 3708 decided to begin the process of acquiring the right to collectively bargain. Today, more than a decade later, members of IAFF Local 3708 are still not able to collectively bargain, and they have no current contract. The current president of the local union, Jim Dearborn, who has been a member since the beginning of the fight, says the question regarding the right to collectively bargain was on the ballot three times; in 1999, 2001
and 2002. In 2002, the measure passed by more than 100 votes. Between 2002 and 2007 Local 3708 and the town enjoyed a period where they agreed on working conditions. The
firefighters were employed under a contract and could count on pay and insurance, which, in turn,provided predictability for the town. In 2007 the contract expired, but both parties were still honoring the previous contract agreement. Attempts in 2008 and 2009 to negotiate a successor agreement failed as both parties could not agree on the other’s concessions. In early July 2010 the parties met and signed an agreement for "Negotiation Ground Rules" for the conduct of further negotiations, agreeing among other things that either party could request mediation after Oct. 1, 2010. A negotiation
meeting scheduled for July 28, 2010 was canceled by the town without explanation. On Aug. 4, a Board of Selectmen meeting was held without proper notice to the public, a violation of the ground rules. At this meeting the board voted to rescind recognition of the collective bargaining rights of the local. The Board of Selectmen breached the contracts when they restructured the firefighters’ compensation plan and granted the town the ability to terminate a firefighter at will rather than having to show just-cause and negotiate. These wholesale changes failed to observe the status quo doctrine
pending a new contract. Dearborn and several taxpayers eventually sued the town of Wolfeboro in September 2010 requesting injunctive relief, including an order that the collective bargaining agreement between parties remain in effect, requesting a writ of mandamus requiring that the town negotiate in good faith and asserting claims for breach of contract violations of the right-to-know law among other things.The suit arose in response to the failed renegotiation of the Wolfeboro Firefighters’ contract with the town. The Board of Selectman moved to dismiss the contract, the firefighters objected and a hearing was scheduled. At the time of the selectman’s meeting in August 2010, the Fire Fighters Union had a contract. The result of the meeting left the firefighters
with the health plan they had under the previous contract, and a pay plan outlined in the same document. Since the injunction was granted the court held another hearing and has since found in favor of the town of Wolfeboro in which the contract was voided for numerous legal reasons.
A motion for reconsideration was filed by the firefighters in superior court on Jan. 14. In February the same judge that decided on the previous hearing granted the firefighters a rehearing on the facts and arguments made in the motion. This meeting is scheduled
for March 31 at 9 a.m. If you want your elected officials to keep their word and follow the demands of the taxpayer, you should call your elected officials to let them know you, as a voter, support the firefighters.
http://www.newhampshirelakesandmountains.com/pdf/GSN.2011.03.10.pdf
D'AMBRUOSO
Communications Director Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire [Editor’s Note: In the interest of fairness we asked the Professional Fire Fighters of Wolfeboro to present their side of the dispute with the Town of Wolfeboro that led first to the town’s decision to rescind recognition of the firefighters union and then a decision by Carroll County Superior Court Judge Steven Houran upholding the town’s action – a decision that Judge Houran has agreed to rehear on March 31. The following account was submitted in response to that request.]
On June 21, 1996, the Wolfeboro New Hampshire Fire Fighters became affiliated with the International Association of Fire Fighters. This move provided them with better education, fraternal benefits and instant relationships with fire fighters locally and nationwide. In the mid-1990s the Professional Fire Fighters of Wolfeboro, IAFF Local 3708 decided to begin the process of acquiring the right to collectively bargain. Today, more than a decade later, members of IAFF Local 3708 are still not able to collectively bargain, and they have no current contract. The current president of the local union, Jim Dearborn, who has been a member since the beginning of the fight, says the question regarding the right to collectively bargain was on the ballot three times; in 1999, 2001
and 2002. In 2002, the measure passed by more than 100 votes. Between 2002 and 2007 Local 3708 and the town enjoyed a period where they agreed on working conditions. The
firefighters were employed under a contract and could count on pay and insurance, which, in turn,provided predictability for the town. In 2007 the contract expired, but both parties were still honoring the previous contract agreement. Attempts in 2008 and 2009 to negotiate a successor agreement failed as both parties could not agree on the other’s concessions. In early July 2010 the parties met and signed an agreement for "Negotiation Ground Rules" for the conduct of further negotiations, agreeing among other things that either party could request mediation after Oct. 1, 2010. A negotiation
meeting scheduled for July 28, 2010 was canceled by the town without explanation. On Aug. 4, a Board of Selectmen meeting was held without proper notice to the public, a violation of the ground rules. At this meeting the board voted to rescind recognition of the collective bargaining rights of the local. The Board of Selectmen breached the contracts when they restructured the firefighters’ compensation plan and granted the town the ability to terminate a firefighter at will rather than having to show just-cause and negotiate. These wholesale changes failed to observe the status quo doctrine
pending a new contract. Dearborn and several taxpayers eventually sued the town of Wolfeboro in September 2010 requesting injunctive relief, including an order that the collective bargaining agreement between parties remain in effect, requesting a writ of mandamus requiring that the town negotiate in good faith and asserting claims for breach of contract violations of the right-to-know law among other things.The suit arose in response to the failed renegotiation of the Wolfeboro Firefighters’ contract with the town. The Board of Selectman moved to dismiss the contract, the firefighters objected and a hearing was scheduled. At the time of the selectman’s meeting in August 2010, the Fire Fighters Union had a contract. The result of the meeting left the firefighters
with the health plan they had under the previous contract, and a pay plan outlined in the same document. Since the injunction was granted the court held another hearing and has since found in favor of the town of Wolfeboro in which the contract was voided for numerous legal reasons.
A motion for reconsideration was filed by the firefighters in superior court on Jan. 14. In February the same judge that decided on the previous hearing granted the firefighters a rehearing on the facts and arguments made in the motion. This meeting is scheduled
for March 31 at 9 a.m. If you want your elected officials to keep their word and follow the demands of the taxpayer, you should call your elected officials to let them know you, as a voter, support the firefighters.
http://www.newhampshirelakesandmountains.com/pdf/GSN.2011.03.10.pdf
Judge grants firefighters motion for rehearing
http://www.newhampshirelakesandmountains.com/pdf/GSN.2011.03.10.pdf
OSSIPEE — Carroll County Superior Court Judge Steven Houran has granted a motion for reconsideration
by Professional Fire Fighters of Wolfeboro of his decision of Jan. 4 affirming the Town of Wolfeboro’s decision to rescind recognition of the firefighters union. The decision to reconsider was made on Feb. 11. The hearing on the motion is scheduled for Thursday, March 31 at 9 a.m. at the Carroll County Courthouse in Ossipee. Time allotted for the hearing is 30 minutes. Having come to an impasse in contract negotiations, the Wolfeboro Board of Selectmen voted on Aug. 4 to rescind recognition of Professional Fire Fighters of
Wolfeboro IAFF Local 3708 with the assertion that the original Town Meeting vote in 2002 did not refer to the proper state law and thus did not authorize a union of fewer than 10 members (the Wolfeboro union has nine members). The firefighters won a temporary injunction on Sept. 27 blocking the town from making the union members town employees. Judge Houran’s Jan. 4 decision ended that injunction. For a presentation on how this dispute between the town and the firefighters evolved from the firefighters point of view, please see article "Wolfeboro firefighters tell their side of the story".
Saturday, March 5, 2011
No Injuries, Minor Damage During Fire at Kingswood Regional High School Complex
March 1, 2011-(Group 2) No injuries were reported during a fire at Kingswood Regional High School complex this afternoon. Wolfeboro Fire Rescue was alerted to the incident at 1139. First arriving crews found a small fire in the area of the roof of the addition to the Middle School. A first alarm assignment was requested at 1146. The fire was declared under control at 1218. The fire was extinguished with the help of personnel from Northbranch Construction, the general contractor for the school addition/renovation project. Damage was confined to a small area of the roof and wall where the existing Middle School meets the new addition. Wolfeboro Fire Rescue Chief Butch Morrill said the cause was accidental and was the result of use of a cutting torch in the area. Students were evacuated to the nearby Kingswood Arts Center for the duration of the incident. Wolfeboro Fire Rescue Cleared the scene at 1256. Firefighters from Tuftonboro Fire Rescue and Ossipee Corner Fire Rescue assisted at the scene, as did Stewart's Ambulance. Wakefield Fire Rescue provided coverage at Wolfeboro Central Station.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Website Back up and Running
Everyone our website is back up and running, and will be updated frequently. Please check out some of the the stuff you have missed in the last few months.
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