Fallout regarding the recent Edgecomb Fire Dept. vote to remove the assistant fire chief continues as selectmen consider his request for a redress.
The Monday selectmen’s session heated up a bit as former Asst. Chief Maurice Hyson appeared before the board with a written statement about his feelings surrounding his removal.
“I am making a request that the recent votes be overturned so that I am allowed to resign with the dignity and respect that my 18 years of service to this community has earned and deserves,” Hyson said.
Chairman Stuart Smith he was surprised when he heard about the action to vote him out of the position and did not know what to think.
“We want to do what’s right for the department, and that’s why we don’t want to make a decision tonight,” Selectman John Johnson said. Selectmen agreed to take the request under advisement.
Calling for an end to the dispute, Johnson said, “This has gone on long enough. It’s been a black eye for the town, and its not good for the morale of the department.”
Hyson reportedly had been incommunicado with new Fire Chief Roy Potter for about four months. During that time, he admitted he was mulling over the idea of resigning because of differences in department operation and what Selectman John Johnson mentioned concerns a personality conflict.
In making the statement, he said he wanted to set the record straight. “I’ve sat back and watched the situation become so distorted, it no longer resembles the truth, he said.
His statement enumerated specific kinds of services he has performed for the town during his 18 years with the local fire department, most of which he spent as assistant fire chief.
“All of this required an immeasurable number of hours away from my home, business and family, all of which I have done proudly and willingly for our community and our town,” Hyson said.
Listing various complaints he has about Potter, he said, “It is for these reasons that I have grappled with the extremely difficult decision to stay with the department given my limited availability or to resign.”
Board members spoke about the nature of the discussion and whether it should be in executive session to protect Potter, since at a previous meeting they discussed the situation about Hyson in executive session to protect him. The board decided to go into executive session for a few minutes for that reason.
“We have to protect the chief, too,” Johnson said. “I don’t want to have him think we don’t have confidence in him.”
Potter, present for the proceeding, said following the agenda item, “For the betterment of the department, I had to make a choice…when you don’t hear from anybody for four months.”
Board Chairman Stuart Smith said, “It’s unfortunate this has happened.” He said Hyson’s behavior during the four-month period has marred his record over the past 18 years of service.
Selectman Jack Sarmanian asked what took so long for Hyson to come forward with his problem. “This has been going on for six months,” he said.
