Consultants: Take Code Enforcement
Out of the Fire Department
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
Delta Development Group is recommending something many people in Bradford have been suggesting for years: Taking code enforcement out of the fire department.
That was one of the many recommendations the consultants made during a presentation Wednesday night concerning their work with the city in the Early Intervention Program for financially troubled cities in the state.
“(Code enforcement) does not belong in the fire department,” said Deborah Grass of Delta. “We don’t think it makes a whole lot of sense for trained firefighters to be looking for high grass and weeds and garbage and junk cars and those kinds of things.”
Grass made it clear that Delta was not doing performance reviews of personnel or departments; they were concentrating on the financial aspects of all city departments.
Before the presentation Mayor Tom Riel stressed that while some recommendations in Delta’s report have already been implemented, not every one will be.
“Just because it’s in (the report) doesn’t mean it will happen,” Riel said.
As for code enforcement, Delta recommends combining it with planning and zoning, and restructuring the operations, which would work closely with the Office of Economic and Community Development.
Also included in the recommendations for the fire department are phasing out the East Bradford station and to “explore regional fire district opportunities.”
As for the police department, John Daley of Delta said he was “very impressed” with the department and Chief Chris Lucco.
One of the recommendations is to reconsider their schedules. Although it was changed earlier this year, Daley said most of the officers are not happy with it.
They need to “figure out what’s best for them,” Daley said.
The report also suggests bringing in someone else – possibly a transfer from city hall – to do clerical work.
“It doesn’t make financial sense to have your highest paid police department employees doing filing, doing photocopying, answering requests for police reports, etc.,” Daley said.
Grass also talked about restructuring the treasurer’s office and going back to a city manager form of government.
One of the recommendations that has already been implemented is combining the departments of parks and public works.
Since then Director Chip Comilla has “made some really big strides,” especially concerning overtime, according to David Soboslay of Delta.
He did suggest the city name a Recreation Board and, as with all departments, “make sure the money you’re charging (for services) covers costs.”
Grass ended the presentation by saying the city has already “made great strides” since Delta started its work 10 months ago.
“We’re optimistic. We don’t see you moving into Act 47 (distressed) status,” she said. “We see you as having financial difficulty but looking forward, and looking for a focus, and really wanting to make a difference.”
Listen to the presentation here and here.
WESB/WBRR News Director
Delta Development Group is recommending something many people in Bradford have been suggesting for years: Taking code enforcement out of the fire department.
That was one of the many recommendations the consultants made during a presentation Wednesday night concerning their work with the city in the Early Intervention Program for financially troubled cities in the state.
“(Code enforcement) does not belong in the fire department,” said Deborah Grass of Delta. “We don’t think it makes a whole lot of sense for trained firefighters to be looking for high grass and weeds and garbage and junk cars and those kinds of things.”
Grass made it clear that Delta was not doing performance reviews of personnel or departments; they were concentrating on the financial aspects of all city departments.
Before the presentation Mayor Tom Riel stressed that while some recommendations in Delta’s report have already been implemented, not every one will be.
“Just because it’s in (the report) doesn’t mean it will happen,” Riel said.
As for code enforcement, Delta recommends combining it with planning and zoning, and restructuring the operations, which would work closely with the Office of Economic and Community Development.
Also included in the recommendations for the fire department are phasing out the East Bradford station and to “explore regional fire district opportunities.”
As for the police department, John Daley of Delta said he was “very impressed” with the department and Chief Chris Lucco.
One of the recommendations is to reconsider their schedules. Although it was changed earlier this year, Daley said most of the officers are not happy with it.
They need to “figure out what’s best for them,” Daley said.
The report also suggests bringing in someone else – possibly a transfer from city hall – to do clerical work.
“It doesn’t make financial sense to have your highest paid police department employees doing filing, doing photocopying, answering requests for police reports, etc.,” Daley said.
Grass also talked about restructuring the treasurer’s office and going back to a city manager form of government.
One of the recommendations that has already been implemented is combining the departments of parks and public works.
Since then Director Chip Comilla has “made some really big strides,” especially concerning overtime, according to David Soboslay of Delta.
He did suggest the city name a Recreation Board and, as with all departments, “make sure the money you’re charging (for services) covers costs.”
Grass ended the presentation by saying the city has already “made great strides” since Delta started its work 10 months ago.
“We’re optimistic. We don’t see you moving into Act 47 (distressed) status,” she said. “We see you as having financial difficulty but looking forward, and looking for a focus, and really wanting to make a difference.”
Listen to the presentation here and here.
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