Appointment of Chief John White, 40 Youle Street, Melrose, MA as Emergency Management Director

Transcript (~3 min @ 0:57)

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▶ 0:50 Devin Romanul: Well, if there is no objection, I will motion to close for public comment. Seeing none, we are closed for public comment. Um, since we have members of the administration here tonight, I'll, uh, uh, here to speak on items before us. I'd like to entertain a motion by unanimous consent to suspend Rule 37 B before we proceed. Seeing no objection, rule 37 B is now suspended. Um, the only order on tonight's agenda is ID number 1 2 7, 9 3. Uh, appointment of Chief John White for ELL Street, Melrose, Massachusetts as Emergency Management Director.

▶ 1:33 Jen Grigoraitis: Good evening chair and committee members. Thank you for having us tonight. Um, I'm here seeking your approval of Fire Chief John White in the role of Melrose Emergency Management Director. Um, just by way of a little background, all municipalities are required by state law to designate an emergency management director. For the past six years, we had had Alan Alpert, who many of you knew in that role. It was a part-time non benefitted, non-union position. Um, Mr. Alpert decided to fully retire, um, at the conclusion of last fiscal year. And then as part of our budget reductions, we reduced that position from being its own standalone position to being a stipended role, which is, um, something that many communities do. I had asked Chief White if he would be willing to take on this additional responsibility, and he very graciously agreed. Many communities use fire department personnel in this role, given the, um, large overlap in trainings that happens for both emergency management response and fire response. Um, as I think many of you know, chief White has been a member of the Melrose Fire Department for nearly 40 years. He's been serving as chief just about a year now, and he brings extensive professional certifications, including as an EMT, A Fire Investigator and a fire prevention officer. I'm really grateful to his willingness to take this on in addition to all of his other responsibilities and think he will serve the city very well.

▶ 2:57 Speaker 2: Thank you. Thank you. Um, asked to please.

▶ 3:02 Speaker 2: Uh, the question would make me the Emergency Medical Emergency Management Director, um, to carry on the fine work of my predecessor, Alan Alper. I've talked with him many times over the years and, um, to carry on all the work, he started to get, um, all the emergency plans, um, especially in light of what's happened last weekend down in, uh, fall River. Um, we see the importance of the work that he's done, um, to keep, make sure these foot places have their plans set up.

▶ 3:32 Devin Romanul: Well, thank you so much. Do any counselors have any questions for either of the mayor or Chief

▶ 3:38 Speaker 2: Councillor Hamilton? Thanks.

▶ 3:40 Ward Hamilton: No questions. Uh, thank you Chief for stepping up and, uh, make a motion to recommend second

▶ 3:45 Devin Romanul: Motion to recommend by Councillor Hamilton Motion, uh, seconded by Councillor Occhio on discussion.