Editor’s Note: This story has been updated.
FREDERICKTOWN — The Fredericktown Community Fire District won’t have two new assistant fire chiefs any time soon.
The board voted 4-2 not to appoint captains Dwayne Canter and Shane Smith to the assistant chief position, each splitting the salary evenly.
Board members Mollie De Rojas and Lew Canter approved, with Walt Farlee, Larry Schunke, Tim Smith and Curt Bechtel dissenting.
Before the vote, the board went into executive session to discuss the decision. De Rojas described the role of assistant fire chief as a “key position that needs to be filled.”
The appointment of the assistant fire chief was tabled until the Oct. 23 special meeting.
Fire Chief Scott Mast said he and a majority of firefighters were in support of Canter and Smith’s appointment. Mast said with how the vote went, the board doesn’t want to take into consideration what the firefighters want.
“If you truly want to solve the relationship issues between the board and the fire district, why are you trying to hurt the relationship?” Mast asked.
De Rojas said the joint agreement between the district and board would have been a venue to mend relationships between the parties.
Many firefighters attending the meeting asked the board members why they voted no.
Farlee, who represents Berlin Township on the board, said he voted no because his fellow township trustees voiced their opposition to the hiring recommendation.
Mast said the district is “on the rise,” with roughly 30 members on staff.
“We’ve hired 22 new members in the last three years,” Mast said to the board. “Massive changes have been made — I need help.”
Vote of no confidence
On March 13, the Fredericktown Firefighters Association voted no confidence regarding several Fredericktown Community Fire District Board of Trustees members. They specifically mentioned Larry Schunke, Walt Farlee, Tim Smith and Curt Bechtel.
When asked to comment on the vote of no confidence, board members referred to board president Smith, who hasn’t responded to multiple requests for comment. Smith later agreed to discuss this at a later date.
“We do not take this action to enact a vote lightly,” the letter of no confidence states. “After great discussion and contemplation, we feel that we are left with minimal options to enable us to continue to uphold the oath that our firefighters took to protect our community.
“We further hesitate because we fully believe if this does not have the needed improvements that it will result in retaliation from said members of the Board of Trustees.”
The letter states firefighters and officers of the fire district have undergone a barrage of personal and professional attacks instigated by the board members.
“(The board has) created an environment that is detrimental to the morale of the firefighters,” the letter states.
