Vote of no confidence causes change in West Stockbridge
FirefighterNation Staff
WEST STOCKBRIDGE, Massachusetts — Following a reportedly problematic house fire and allegations of mismanagement West Stockbridge Select Board voted to remove the town fire chief.
The Berkshire Eagle reported that the board voted to remove Fire Chief Peter Skorput from his position and replace him temporarily with Richmond Fire Chief Steven Traver.
Along with the removal officials planned to rebuild the volunteer fire department, increase its training budget, test the town’s fire hydrants, and pay for an independent review of the three most recent fires.
Fire departments neighboring West Stockbridge will continue to responded to calls when needed.
During a tense meeting officials noted that a February 2 house fire was considered problematic enough by some surrounding fire departments to warrant removing West Stockbridge from their mutual aid list.
The house fire last month is the latest in a number of issues that officials say could expose the town to litigation.
The State Ethics Commission placed a $5,000 fine on Skorput earlier after he admitted to breaking conflict of interest laws the included retaliation against officials and others who made complaints.
In the February house fire, where one firefighter and an occupant were hospitalized for smoke inhalation, the choice of water supply, problems with hydrants, and the timing of calling mutual aid companies were raised.
The town paid a consultant $10,000 in 2016 to study the department and numerous problems were cited. Only a few were fixed, according to the Eagle.
Chief Skorput said that the board’s concerns are
exaggerations and pointed to construction in the February fire.
Skorput denied that neighboring chiefs had removed the fire company and he left
the meeting.
In wake of the vote, 12 volunteer firefighters resigned from the department.
Town officials stated that of the 12, five were no longer on active duty and that some of the other who resigned have returned.
