Catch 22 Strikes The Lawns Of The Firehouse

Chief Perrotti has a high degree of pride when it comes to the Fire Department.  It encompasses almost every aspect of the organization, from mopping the floors at almost every chance he gets, to making sure not a single leaf sits upon the apron.

In May of 2007 the MVFD was pleased to be the host for the Bicentennial showing of the Town’s Video Presentation.  The MVFD pulled out all the stops and hosted a wonderful reception at Fire HQ.  See link click here.

Everything was absolutely perfect except for one very important element.  Former First Selectman and Public works head Ed St. John had failed to order mowing of the lawn at Fire HQ.  It was a hay field.  Chief Perrotti took things into his own hands and mowed the lawn himself, with his own mower. Since then the Chief has been mowing and weed-whacking the grounds at Fire HQ and even planted a flower garden near the old Firehouse grounds.  The place looks great all the time.

Now we turn to the Town Budget problems.  There was no money in the budget to pay summer part time help to cut grass around town.  The guys working at B&G and PW are being stretched in a million directions.  They have to do their normal duties as well as cut all the grass.

The problem hit critical mass, when it was announced that the Transfer Station was going to be closed on Wednesdays, so those workers could go out and cut grass.  Here is the problem - too much grass and not enough grass cutters. Close the Transfer Station and get more grass cutters.

Its a good thing Chief Perrotti is cutting the grass at Fire HQ. NOT!  The Chief received a cease and desist order from Town Hall stating that the Chief will no longer be able to cut the grass because someone at PW was filing some sort of union grievance and the MVFD was violating some sort of grass cutting law.  

For heaven sakes. The Town is closing the dump because they do not have enough people to cut grass, yet there is a grievance by the union because the MVFD is taking work away from its workers. Does that make any sense?

On top of that someone also stated that it was a liability problem for the Town, for the Chief to be mowing the grass. What?  A liability problem?  Its absolutely no problem if the Chief runs into a burning building and puts his life in danger, but if he sits on top of a garden tractor, watch out, that’s spells real trouble.

What about the MRA and the Little League.  They all mow their own grass.  Are they outfitted with some sort of special survival suit?

We are not trying to make light of this but for crying out loud!

The Town is having a hard time staffing Buildings and Grounds.  They have to close the Transfer Station so workers can cut grass. You have a volunteer who will cut the grass for nothing. He is already insured by the Town. He takes pride in the building and grounds and you tell him he can’t cut the grass? 

The Town should be happy about this, but somehow they are not. Amazing.