Effective immediately, there’s a new deputy-fire chief in Arthur.
On Monday night, the final session of council dealt with the resignation of Bob McKenzie.
That resignation came up at the fire committee’s Nov. 16 meeting. To fill in for the next three months, the committee recommended Andy Morrison be a temporary deputy fire chief for a period of 120 days.
Much of that discussion was held in-camera Monday night prior to the acceptance of McKenzie’s resignation.
Councillor Ross Chaulk’s primary concern was the timing of the resignation.
“It’s unfortunate that this was left to our very last council meeting.” He said the fire committee recommended to council that it accept the resignation effective immediately.
“Now it is my understanding that he’s not been around since February or March of 2010, through his own choice.”
Chaulk suggested the effective date of resignation should be retroactive to that time.
“He has chosen not to be there. We have not dismissed him. So I don’t believe the taxpayers should be forced to pay his salary for the intervening time period.”
He added, “I don’t think accepting a resignation effective in November is the right thing to do in this case.”
Councillor John Matusinec, chairman of the fire committee, said council should be having the discussion in-camera.
“It’s a personnel matter.”
Chaulk said he would rather not see acceptance of the resignation included with the minutes and asked that it be dealt with separately – “and a recorded vote if need be.”
Broomhead said the motion to be read later in the meeting was to accept the resignation “effective immediately.”
“That means today, and I don’t think it’s appropriate,” Chaulk contended.
Councillor Dan Yake asked for an explanation.
Chaulk stated McKenzie has not been around since February or March. “So why are we going to pay him a salary? He chose not be there.”
“We know that for a fact?” Yake asked.
He further asked, “Do we know he did not go to practices or attend calls?”
“You’d have to asked the fire committee,” Chaulk said. “I know what I’ve been told.”
Matusinec again stated his belief is the issue was not an open discussion at council.
Yake said the item would be a personnel matter, based on attendance and pay.
Chaulk contended the item was brought up in the open minutes, which is why he brought the matter up in open council.
Council later went into a closed session to discuss the matter. It later passed a bylaw to a temporary deputy chief for the Arthur Fire Department.
Matusinec said that with McKenzie’s resignation, the department needed someone in place, since Fire Chief Jim Morrison will be away for a few weeks.
Matusinec stressed, “This job will be posted and go through the proper channels. This is just a temporary placement to make sure there is something in place.”
CAO/Clerk Lori Heinbuch noted the job will be posted in-house and externally.
A selection committee will need to be set up by the new council and the normal hiring process will take place.
Chaulk asked if the replacement can be dealt with until council deals with the timing of the resignation.
Broomhead said the resignation has already taken place and the position is currently vacant. Matusinec agreed council could not look at a temporary replacement until the fire committee had received the resignation.
Yake wanted clarification that the permanent hiring of someone would happen within 120 days.
“Hopefully sooner,” Matusinec said.
Broomhead quipped, “We don’t want the new council to be making all the decisions the first night,.”
Following a somewhat lengthy closed session council accepted the resignation of McKenzie [as originally presented].
Chaulk opposed that motion, but it was carried by the rest of council.
In later discussion, council explained the resignation date was Nov. 1. Because of council’s decision, McKenzie will be paid until that date.
