As previously reported, Nottingham’s Fire Chief, Jaye Vilchock, and Fire Lieutenant, Sandy Vilchock, have been placed on paid administrative leave while the Board of Selectmen conducts an investigation into accusations against the Fire Chief.
I think that is a good and concise overview of what I've read over the last day or two Doug--thank you. One of the questions that has been asked repeatedly is why the locals haven't been informed of the cause or reason for something as serious as a suspension. When the BOS goes in a non-public session of a meeting, that's just what it means--not part of a public meeting. You will hear one of the BOS ask for such a session under the auspices of a State revised statute, specifically RSA 91-A:3 section II(a). In part it says: "II. Only the following matters shall be considered or acted upon in nonpublic session:
(a) The dismissal, promotion, or compensation of any public employee or the disciplining of such employee, or the investigation of any charges against him or her, unless the employee affected (1) has a right to a meeting and (2) requests that the meeting be open, in which case the request shall be granted." So unless and until the chief or the lieutenant chooses to disclose the reason for the suspension, (which they can't do now as apparently they haven't been told what the specific problem is) we just aren't going to know anything about it. I sincerely hope they are given a reason VERY soon as I would think it's horrible to be left in the dark like that.
How can someone of the Fire Chiefs stature and impeccable reputation be suspended for over 30 days on an anonymous complaint? How can our safety depend on someone who hasn't been employed as a Fire chief for over 10 years? Why all the secrecy that only the BOS is informed of the situation and not the people of Nottingham who they represent.I sincerely hope that this is now not the start of another lawsuit which will ultimately cost the Nottingham tax payers.
I think that is a good and concise overview of what I've read over the last day or two Doug--thank you. One of the questions that has been asked repeatedly is why the locals haven't been informed of the cause or reason for something as serious as a suspension. When the BOS goes in a non-public session of a meeting, that's just what it means--not part of a public meeting. You will hear one of the BOS ask for such a session under the auspices of a State revised statute, specifically RSA 91-A:3 section II(a). In part it says: "II. Only the following matters shall be considered or acted upon in nonpublic session:
(a) The dismissal, promotion, or compensation of any public employee or the disciplining of such employee, or the investigation of any charges against him or her, unless the employee affected (1) has a right to a meeting and (2) requests that the meeting be open, in which case the request shall be granted." So unless and until the chief or the lieutenant chooses to disclose the reason for the suspension, (which they can't do now as apparently they haven't been told what the specific problem is) we just aren't going to know anything about it. I sincerely hope they are given a reason VERY soon as I would think it's horrible to be left in the dark like that.
How can someone of the Fire Chiefs stature and impeccable reputation be suspended for over 30 days on an anonymous complaint? How can our safety depend on someone who hasn't been employed as a Fire chief for over 10 years? Why all the secrecy that only the BOS is informed of the situation and not the people of Nottingham who they represent.I sincerely hope that this is now not the start of another lawsuit which will ultimately cost the Nottingham tax payers.