MANCHESTER, NH – Four months ago Fire Chief Dan Goonan responded to a request by Alderman Pat Long, to outline what impact the mayor’s proposed budget would have on his department.
Goonan spelled things out – reducing his budget by 5 percent from the previous budget, compounded by costs for a citywide radio system, severance pay and the potential of eight retirements, would result in reduced manpower, possible layoffs, and rolling station closures.
⇒ Related Story: Fire Chief on station closure: After budgetary cards were dealt, ‘I had no other options’
On Tuesday, Goonan followed through with what he felt was a necessary response to the city’s approved FY 2018 budget by sending another letter [see below] advising the Mayor and Board that he will close Station 9 on Calef Road to avoid layoffs, and also reduce staff at Station 2.
In response to the letter, Ward 3 Alderman Pat Long said Tuesday night that the Mayor and Board plan to come together for a special meeting Thursday, June 29, to try and iron things out. Otherwise, Goonan said he’s prepared to close Station 9 on July 1.
“I did talk to the Chief and I understand where he’s going with this. If he’s going to have a shortfall for severance he wants to address it now, and recoup as much money as he can throughout the year,” says Long.
Ward 9 Alderman Barbara Shaw says the letter took her by surprise, and that she’s bewildered about the Chief’s proposed action to close the fire station in her ward.
“The firefighters contract was brought forward, which I openly opposed because I felt it was poor timing and in need of more negotiation. I suggested they be patient and we take care of it in the fall, but there was no mention of layoffs or closings that I recall,” Shaw said Tuesday. “I’m confused and bewildered.”
Goonan’s decision is supported 100 percent by the city’s firefighters, says IAFF 856 President Jeff Duval.
“Our feeling is this shouldn’t be a surprise to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen that the chief is going to have to roll out station closings. It’s something he spoke about when the budget was presented, and also on other occasions,” says Duval.
“He’s doing this to avoid layoffs. Chief Goonan lived through the 2011 budget when we had to lay off 13 firefighters. Back then the Board of Mayor and Aldermen said they had our backs, but coming into springtime, they laid off 13 firefighters,” Duval said. “He doesn’t want to have that happen again.”
Duval said the Chief in his letter enumerated the reasons for the projected budget shortfall – the fire department was budgeted $48,958 less than the chief’s request of $19,781,502; he has to cover a $51,540 payment due on a citywide radio system that was previously covered by the city, plus he will have three anticipated retirements, costing $138,414 in payouts.
The union contract requires a minimum of 46 members on duty per shift to keep overtime at straight time instead of paying time-and-a-half. Goonan said in his letter to avoid paying more in overtime, closing a station was the most fiscally responsible resolution – without compromising the safety of residents or firefighters.
Under Goonan’s plan, savings would be realized from being able to use manpower from those assigned to Station 9 to cover vacation and overtime shifts for other firefighters, Duval said.
Long says he’s optimistic the board can work something out with Goonan.
“We’ll find out Friday,” Long said. “I’m hopeful we can either appropriate that money – I believe there’s enough money in today’s contingency to carry it over, or some other solution. The problem is you can’t allocate money from the 2018 budget yet. We’re going to find out what our surplus looks like, and see what our options are.”
Editor’s Note: Since this story posted on June 27 the date of the special meeting was changed. That change is reflected in this updated version.
