Danvers Union Chief Condemns 'Vicious' Attacks On Town Officials

DANVERS, MA — Danvers Firefighters Association President Brian Barry condemned what he called "vicious verbal attacks" toward Danvers Town Manager Steve Bartha, and his family, during the recent controversy over whether 'thin blue line' flags supporting police should be allowed on town fire apparatus.

The Danvers Board of Selectmen voted on Wednesday to reaffirm Bartha's authority to order the flags removed after a complaint that the flags — often flown to show solidarity with law enforcement — could be viewed as a political statement on town property.

Barry said that while he disagrees with the removal of the flags, the union has a respectful relationship with the town, and those engaging in personal attacks on town officials should be "ashamed."

"While there were many different opinions presented, all of them were presented in a respectful manner," Barry said of the "community conversation" held at Danvers High Wednesday night in a post on Local 2038's Facebook page. "I am thankful for that. What was not acceptable this week were the vicious verbal attacks on the town manager and his family as well as some of the negative comments toward the Board of Selectmen. That was unfortunate and those who took it to that level should be ashamed."

Barry, who was promoted to deputy fire chief within the department this week, said Bartha and the board members have been supportive of the Danvers Fire Department and its union, and that the relationship remains a good one.

"I made it clear that I disagree with the removal of the flags and how it was handled," he said. "That doesn’t mean that I am condemning the town manager or the Board for their actions. It doesn't mean that I feel the manager or the Board doesn't support the fire department. It simply means I don't agree with them on this particular issue.

"Both the manager and the Board have supported us in the past. We have also disagreed on several issues. That is simply the nature of labor relations. Like all other issues, we will work through this one and move forward."

Bartha said in his decision to order the flags removed that they have "the power to make marginalized members of our community feel unwelcome and unsafe."

The flags have been a source of controversy throughout the state this summer.

In Hingham, earlier this summer the Board of Selectmen ordered the flags removed from apparatus in that town after a resident's complaint. The Hingham Board of Selectment said its decision was based on a bylaw that stated only certain flags are allowed on town property.

After bristling at the directive, Hingham and Weymouth fighters did remove the flags — one of which was to be presented to the family of late Weymouth Sgt. Michael Chesna, who died in a line-of-duty shooting two years ago, and the other was donated to be raised at the Norfolk County Correctional facility in Dedham.

Somerville had a similar controversy last month when Mayor Michael Curtatone ordered flags removed from apparatus in that city.

"I have always believed that conflict can be good," Barry said. "Conflict creates an opportunity for those involved to work together towards improvement. Danvers has an opportunity here. I am hopeful the community finds a way to learn from this conflict, benefit from it, and move forward."