Simmering tensions about how to save money in the police and fire departments and whether changes to how the chiefs are appointments boiled over at Tuesday’s selectmen meeting
Four of the selectmen from Ware are, clockwise from top, left, Richard Norton, Gregory Harder, John Carroll and John Desmond.WARE — Simmering tensions about how to save money in the police and fire departments and whether changes to how chiefs are appointed boiled over at last week's selectmen's meeting, with two members vigorously pointing fingers at one another while speaking at the same time.
Instead of remaining with his colleagues, Selectman Richard Norton left his chair behind the sizable selectmen’s desk when the meeting began.
He sat in the audience, and began to criticize the actions of board Chairman Greg Harder and board members John Desmond and John Carroll, the latter of whom was not present.
Saying “if it is not broken, don’t fix it,” Norton criticized Carroll for the controversial proposal put forward to remove Ware from hiring the chiefs according to Massachusetts' Civil Service law at May’s annual town meeting. Carroll withdrew the article before it was voted on.
Without mentioning a name, Norton then criticized Desmond for questioning whether the town’s full time fire department and ambulance squad should instead be a volunteer unit.
“I think you were referring to me,” Desmond said.
“Yes I was,” Norton said. Desmond then criticized Norton, saying Norton opposed a townwide referendum on the new fire station. Work on the building, located at the former Goldstein & Gurwitz property on West St. is nearly completed.
The finger pointing began, between Desmond and Norton, prompting Harder to say: “We are not going to get anywhere with this, this is too heated.”
Norton then focused on Harder, saying the chairman “wanted to try the [fire] chief” for what Norton stated was “for no reason at all.”
”I don’t deny that at all,” said Harder who ended discussion on the matter saying, “we are going to move on.”
In other business selectmen unanimously approved a request by Gheppetto’s Grille on Main St. naming owner Joel Harder as the establishment’s manager. Board chairman Greg Harder, his brother, recused himself from deliberations and the vote.
Selectmen also unanimously said yes to a controversial request from Daniel Saad, the owner of Snow’s Restaurant, to serve alcohol until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings. Many neighbors attending the meeting objected. The restaurant and sports bar at 136 Pleasant St. sits in a residential zone but enjoys “grandfather” rights to operate.