By Peter Goonan, The Republican (Massachusetts)
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - In a vote described by the police union as a “slap in the face,” the Finance Control Board yesterday established a committee, consisting solely of state officials, to advise it on public safety issues.
The new three-member Public Safety Advisory Council is chaired by Edward A. Flynn, state secretary for the Executive Office of Public Safety, and includes the superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police and the state fire marshal, or their designees.
Thomas M. Scanlon, president of the patrolmen’s union, Local 364 of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, said the control board is turning to a state board for guidance “to make sure policing is done right in the city,” rather than relying on the police chief and local Police Commission.
“It seems kind of a slap in the face to the chief,” Scanlon said. “Now nobody knows who is in charge. Whenever there is a decision to be made, it’s a jump ball. Everyone waits for the control board’s input.”
There is now a void in leadership and “the shadow of the control board is cast over the department,” Scanlon said.
Police Chief Paula C. Meara, Police Commission Chairman Timothy J. Ryan, Fire Chief Gary G. Cassanelli and Springfield Association of Fire Fighters Local 648 President David A. Wells said they welcome the advisory council’s expertise and input.
Ryan said he has spoken with Flynn and “he is very conscious of the need to involve and have significant local input.”
Flynn, attending yesterday’s meeting at City Hall, said he looks forward to assisting the city both in an advisory capacity and with additional resources. He said no one comes in “wearing a cape or with an ‘S’ on their chest.”
Police and other unions have been critical of the control board on issues including a recent requirement that employees and retirees pay health insurance deductibles and higher co-payments effective April 1, 2005.
The control board was established by state law in July to make decisions aimed at restoring financial stability to the city during a budget crisis. Under the law, the board controls all financial decisions and also has the power to “appoint, remove, supervise and control all city employees and have control over all personnel matters.”
Control Board Chairman Alan L. LeBovidge said the advisory council will work in conjunction with the Police and Fire departments and their commissions.
The control board, by executive order, stated the advisory council shall advise the board and its staff “on public safety policies and procedures and the overall administration and effectiveness of the public safety agencies and programs of the city of Springfield.
The advisory council will review the police and fire departments, code enforcement, emergency preparedness, the license commission, animal control and school safety and security.
The Police and Fire commissions, by local law, make personnel decisions such as hiring and disciplinary action, establish policy and oversee the budgets.
The control board is making plans to hire consulting firms to evaluate the management and operations of the Police and Fire departments in 2005 and will rely on the state advisory council to oversee the consultants, the board said.