The members of the Brockton Firefighters Pipes & Drums would like to take the time to say thank you to all who helped us with our 3rd annual road race on Sunday June 28th, 2009.
This year we received 80 pre registration applications and 63 post registration applications for a total of 143 participants, our largest response to date. This year’s race had ages ranging from 6 to 68 male and female.
We try to make this a fun event, something the whole family can enjoy and participate in. We hope to see it grow bigger and better each year.
Again thanks to all members of the BFD and their families who helped out in any way. We also would like to thank all BFD members and their families who participated in the run.
Thanks to Chief Galligan for coming down and helping out with the awards presentation and driving the course as the chase car assuring the safety of all runners.
A special thank you goes out to Retired Deputy Chief Edward Mack as he was on hand as the MC for the day. Thank you so much Ed.
Thank you to President Archibald Gormley and local 144 for the use of Keating hall.
Lastly, once again Brandon Winn took time out of his very busy schedule to entertain us with his fabulous exotic animal show. Thank you B&B reptiles.
We hope everyone enjoyed themselves and will see you next year.
Sincerely,
James DuBeau
Pipe Major
Brockton Firefighters
Pipes & Drums
Brockton Firefighter Jeffrey Morrison was commended Thursday by Fire Chief Kenneth F. Galligan for stopping at a motor vehicle crash on Route 24 in April while off-duty and assisting two injured occupants, saving one of their lives.
Ester Martinez, 19, of East Bridgewater, suffered two spinal fractures, a fractured skull and other injuries, while her sister, 21-year-old Cristina Martinez, broke her wrist and elbow. Morrison was commended for his “professional and unselfish actions in acting without hesitation to assist at a serious motor vehicle accident.”
Mark Lopes beamed as Mayor James E. Harrington announced Tuesday that 15 firefighters were saved by the bell.
“I get to keep my house,” said Lopes, a firefighter for 2 1/2 years who was to be laid off next week.
Harrington joined Archie Gormley, president of Local 144 of the International Association of Firefighters, and Fire Chief Kenneth Galligan to tell the 15 men that their jobs were safe for another year.
“It’s my life,” said Eli Eleyi, a firefighter for four years who also faced a layoff.
The same men were in a group of firefighters set to be laid off in April, as the city faced a midyear crisis. Their jobs were saved when the Fire Department made concessions in overtime, diverting pay to cover the jobs until June 30. But, with a shortfall in the budget beginning July 1, layoffs loomed again.
Talks between the union and the mayor, supported by number crunching by John Condon, the city’s chief financial officer, ended with $1.2 million being put toward the salaries for the next year.
Harrington said the money came when severance money was diverted because of delayed retirements and more from the unemployment costs of the layoffs.
“This could have been devastating,” said Galligan. He had planned to take a ladder truck out of service because of the layoffs. Now that truck will remain active.
“This is a start,” said Gormley. “We’ll continue to work from here.”
Malcolm R. Rice, a retired Brockton Firefighter died June 21, 2009 at his residence at the Heights Crossing Assisted Living in Brockton. He was 90 years old. His beloved wife of 61 years, Catherine (Giglio) Rice predeceased him in April 2008. Mr. Rice was born in Brockton on March 12, 1919, and was the son of the late William and Stella (Britton) Rice. He graduated from Brockton High School in 1937. After serving his country in the army during WWII, Mr. Rice joined the Brockton Fire Department, Station 1, from which he retired in the mid 1970’s. An avid golfer, he was a member of the DW Field Golf Course, where he proudly achieved a hole in one. For most of his life he lived on Ettrick Street in Brockton, in a home he built for his bride following their marriage in 1947.
His survived by a niece Andrea Nielsen of Hopkinton, New Hampshire, and nephew Christopher Giglio of New York, New York, and several other nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by several brothers and sisters.
Visitation will be held in the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street (Rte 123) Brockton, Thursday 10-10:30am with a Funeral Service at 10:30am. Burial in Pine Hill Cemetery. Donations in his name may be made to Old Colony Hospice, One Credit Union Way, Randolph, MA, 02368, for online donations click here
The city’s two branch libraries will be closed and 15 firefighters will lose their jobs before the new fiscal year starts on July 1 under Mayor James E. Harrington’s new budget — but the mayor, his staff and some of the city’s highest-paid employees will still get pay hikes.Some city councilors say that with workers getting laid off and services being cut, any additional city costs must be considered a burden. “No one should be getting any raises at this time,” said Ward 7 Councilor Christopher MacMillan.Harrington’s pay will increase $4,441, from $126,887 to $131,328.Chief Financial Officer John Condon’s salary will jump from $135,255 to $140,719.The salary for DPW Commissioner Michael Thoreson will rise from $112,574 to $117,122.The mayor’s raise is set by home-rule legislation, voted by the City Council and then approved by the House and Senate in June 2000, when Mayor John T. Yunits Jr. got a $29,000 hike that boosted his salary to $102,500. Yunits took $85,000 that year, phasing in the increase. The amount of the raise is tied to the Consumer Price Index. Harrington, then councilor-at-large, supported the raise locally and testified for it on Beacon Hill. He then succeeded Yunits as mayor in 2006. Some department heads are in a union, so their raises are negotiated, said Maureen Cruise, the city’s personnel director. Others are controlled by ordinance and set by the City Council, including the chief financial officer, public works director, parking authority director, director of personnel, city auditor, collector-treasurer, building commission and city clerk. This year, Cruise said, the increase for those controlled by ordinance is 2 percent, with an additional 2 percent for those on the top step. Included in the top step is the chief financial officer. The City Council can change local ordinance, including those that set pay raises, but so far no action has been taken to do so. Councilors, whose salary has not been raised since 1997, are at $10,000 a year. They also get health insurance, but in accordance with the increase adopted last month for non-union employees now pay 40 percent of the premium. The city is facing a fiscal crisis amid a recession that has greatly reduced state aid and caused local revenue to drop, both this year and next. The firefighters union gave up overtime to save 20 jobs through June 30, but this week 15 firefighters got layoff notices effective June 30. The next fiscal year starts July 1.Also, there were 26 layoffs in other departments, and 15 employees accepted a retirement incentive to save more jobs. A hiring freeze is in place, but positions funded by enterprise accounts are still being filled. The mayor has presented the City Council a $311.5 million budget for next fiscal year. Finance Committee hearings on that budget begin Monday and continue nightly through Thursday, if needed. The mayor has asked the unions for concessions and said if they agree to a wage freeze, he will freeze the wages of non-union employees, too.
“If we have to approach the unions to make concessions, we should ask it of everyone,” said Councilor-at-large Linda Balzotti, who is running for mayor against Harrington. She said she voted against the home-rule legislation back in 2000 because she objected to the process. But, the measure had council support and now Harrington said, “I don’t know that I can give it back. It’s based strictly on the legislation.” Yes, he can give it back, said Michael Kryzanek, Bridgewater State College political science professor. He admits it is difficult to change legislation, but unless the bill contains language that makes it permanent, it can be changed. “He’s done nothing unethical or illegal,” Kryzanek said. And, the raise is “modest,” given the budget and staff that the mayor is responsible for. But, times are tough and any raise is considered by some to be out of line. “Furloughs or give-back are very, very common in the public sector,” he said. “If public opinion were to see this in a negative light, there are options of donating the money to a worthy charity if he chooses.” Meanwhile, all non-union employees are paying 40 percent of their insurance premiums under a change adopted last month. For many, Harrington said that represents a $2,000 to $2,500 increase in their share of the cost. The council will review the raises along with the budget and can reduce but cannot add to the mayor’s proposal, said Councilor-at-large Thomas Brophy. “We need to be fiscally sound and scrutinize every penny,” said Councilor-at-large Robert Sullivan. “In light of layoffs and potential layoffs, raises are not appropriate.”
Home - Health & Welfare - Union Charter - Strand Theatre - Retired Members - Clothing - Political - In the News - IAFF Local Links - Social Events - Fundraisers - Keating Hall - Community Events - History - Safety - - IAFF Headlines - Photo Gallery - Guest Book Contact Us
