Westport Island selectman regretfully accepted the resignation of Fire Chief Robert Mooney as the town’s coordinator for emergency management and civil defense.
“I think he’s done a really fine job for us,” Chairman George Richardson said.
In a letter to the board making his resignation effective Tues., March 31, Mooney gave reasons for his leaving the position and said he would be available to help transition the incoming EMA coordinator.
The board discussed the possibility of Roger Higgins as a prospective replacement by the end of the month.
“I am sorry that I am not able to continue to serve the town in this capacity any longer, but recent events have illuminated problems that significantly impair my ability to perform the required duties as they should be performed,” Mooney said.
Mooney told the board, meetings, training sessions, and informational seminars are held at times that conflict with his fulltime job requirements.
“Emergencies that require my presence and attention on the island usually occur also during times that I am required to be at my fulltime job,” he said.
Mooney said meeting requirements for the EMA position necessitate taking time off from work without pay or using accrued vacation time.
Rusty Robertson is currently serving as deputy coordinator.
Richardson said the board should “respectfully decline” because of the legalities involved.
In other business, the board received a report from Dennis Dunbar notifying the board 50 percent of the education reserve from the last fiscal year was deposited in the town’ s general fund in February as agreed, totaling $87,404.
The remaining 50 percent (plus or minus) and any under-run or over-run from this fiscal year will be provided to the new Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit after auditing is complete and will be applied directly to the town’s RSU budget share for its first year of operation, he said.
According to Supt. Jay McIntire, any carry forward from the town becomes the RSU’s money which it likely will use for summer salaries, reducing the amount it needs to borrow to cover summer costs, and will be subtracted from the bill the town receives as its portion of the RSU budget.
Dunbar said he believes that is in compliance with the agreement from the last town meeting and the regional planning committee process and McIntire agreed to make a rough estimate for planning.
“That will help our budget committee’s planning efforts,” he said.
The DOT stated it would give the exact schedule after awarding the contract to the winning candidate. It will be sometime between June 1 and July 10, according to the report.
The option includes reworking existing stones, placement of armor stone, use of pre-cast deck slabs, and wooden railings.