Mass. Chief Demands Contract Before Taking Job

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Dec. 21--LAWRENCE -- Thirty-five year Lawrence firefighter Jack Bergeron became the city's new fire chief, but not before a last minute attempt by City Councilor Marc Laplante to have the fire veteran take the chief's job without a contract last night.

Bergeron, who loses his Civil Service protection by accepting the chief's job, said he would "absolutely not take the job without a contract." Laplante's suggestion also drew sharp criticism from his political foe, Mayor William Lantigua, who called the proposal "ridiculous, upsetting and insulting." Lantigua nominated Bergeron for the position out of a 10-candidate pool saying Bergeron "cares about firefighters and understands his fiscal responsibility in the fire department."

But the mayor questioned how a firefighting professional who spent his life climbing the ranks could now accept the highest position within the department without a contract. And, he added, what message does that send to the men and women working in the fire department now?

"It's unfair to suggest he should accept the job without a contract," Lantigua said.

But pointing to other city department heads, including the Council on Aging director and veterans' affairs director, Laplante asked for Bergeron to be appointed without a contract, saying the accord is used as enticement to convince a qualified candidate to accept a job.

But Councilor Eileen O'Connor Bernal quickly pointed out that many department heads in the city do have contracts, including the airport manager and finance director. Councilor Grisel Silva also said Bergeron deserved a contract.

Councilors rebuffed Laplante's "no contract" proposal and later unanimously voted to appoint Bergeron, 59, as the new fire chief with a three year contract. Accepting the job will result in a slight increase to Bergeron's $115,983 annual salary.

Bergeron becomes the city's first fire chief with a contract and no Civil Service protection. At Lantigua's request, councilors approved removing the fire chief's job from civil service to expand the pool on potential fire chief candidates.

Turns out, the most qualified candidate was Bergeron, a deputy fire chief for the past 22 years who has served as acting fire chief in January 2011.

In a Nov. 15 memo to Lantigua, Bonet said Bergeron should be named permanent chief "for the stability of our fire department, to allow morale and motivation to increase, to limit the learning curve of this department operations to outside individuals and promote from within."

"Promoting from within a powerful morale and productivity tool, as many studies have shown. It's also an attractive recruitment incentive for employees who want to know if a long-term career path is available," Bonet added.

When questioned by Councilor Daniel Rivera, the budget committee chairman, Bergeron said he opposes asking unionized city firefighters to make financial concessions to prevent layoffs. Firefighters are paid to put out fires and answer calls. "It's not their job to fund the fire department," Bergeron said.

During budget planning season and at the bargaining table, members of the Local 146 firefighters union have repeatedly been asked to make money concessions to stave layoffs. Bernal praised Bergeron's qualifications, noting he'd passed the fire chief's exam administered by the Civil Service Commission. She agreed with many others who've referred to Bergeron, who has been a firefighter since 1976, as a "real firefighter" who "camp up through the ranks of the Lawrence Fire Department."

She also said she voted to remove the chief's job from civil service, saying it's the right thing for the city to do at this time.

At-large Councilor Roger Twomey also applauded Bergeron, saying what matters most to him is if the "candidate is qualified for the job."

"I am very pleased with the qualifications I have read," Twomey.

Meet the chief

Chief Jack Bergeron

Joined the fire department in 1976, named lieutenant in 1980, captain in 1987 and deputy chief in 1989. Was the department's senior deputy chief he was officially named chief last night.

Attended Lowell Technical Institute and Northern Essex Community College but lacks once credit for fire science degree. Has taught classes at the Massachusetts Fire Academy and is state-licensed construction supervisor.

Was endorsed for the job by retired Fire Chief Peter Takvorian who said Bergeron has "demonstrated outstanding command and communication skills" and is respected throughout the department.

Bergeron, who is married with four grown children, is a Lawrence native who now lives in Methuen.