Township, Firefighters Meet To Discuss Controversial Personnel Decisions

Emotions were running high at the municipal complex Monday night as volunteer fire company members met with township officials to discuss controversial personnel decisions.

Galloway Fire Chief and Fire Marshall Ron Garbutt said the township wanted to move the position of fire department administrative assistant out of the Galloway Township Fire Department location and into the construction office.

The Galloway Township Fire Department encompasses Oceanville, Pomona, Bayview, Germania and South Egg Harbor volunteer fire companies. The administrative assistant handled miscellaneous responsibilites, including paper work, for all five companies.

The move, proped by Township Manager Arch Liston, combined with other building frustrations resulted in the administrative assistant's resignation, on June 26. Since then, all the responsibilities of that position have fallen to Garbutt.

The former employee’s name could not be mentioned in public due to possible litigation, but the administrative assistant’s position was discussed.

Garbutt is now charged with paperwork handled by the former administrative assistant, including applications, five of which are pending with the Pomona Volunteer Fire Company.

Bayview Assistant Fire Chief Chuck Mackintosh said the former employee took care of “post-testing, maintenance, fitness testing and air bottles,” among other responsibilities, all of which now fall on Garbutt.

“Ronnie has too many things to do,” Mackintosh said, adding that the township and the former employee need to work out their differences. “ … I passed everything because of her. She was with the fire department for six years, and the township for 10 years.

“You can’t just take someone off the street and have them do what she was able to do.”

Garbutt said there is some question about how to replace the employee, who held the position in what is technically not considered a department.

“We’re a non-statutory department,” said Garbutt, adding that other non-statutory departments include the ambulance squad, the recreational department, the historical society, and the township engineer, among others.

“Department heads are appointed and hired by the township manager, and from our perspective, we elect a chief to be in charge of all the fire departments,” Garbutt said.

Mayor Don Purdy dispelled any notion there would not be another administrative assistant.

“The position is not being eliminated,” Purdy said. “The services have to be continued to be done. … Ron Garbutt has to handle a lot of day to day operations, and there’s only so many hats someone can wear. We will get it resolved.

“I have a lot of respect for the fire department and council is a big advocate of the fire department.”

It was a theme Purdy reiterated throughout the meeting, one that saw tempers flare, but saw both sides attempting to reach a satisfactory agreement.

Township Manager Arch Liston and Purdy spoke about looking into ways other fire departments similar to Galloway handled similar situations, including Egg Harbor Township.

“Egg Harbor Township’s ordinance almost mirrors ours,” Garbutt said. “But in Galloway, we recognize our fire chief, and in Egg Harbor Township, they appoint theirs. In Egg Harbor Township, the administrative assistant is under the fire office, and not in another part of the building.”

They also dispelled rumors that the volunteer fire departments would be eliminated in Galloway Township.

“I know the price of having a paid fire department,” said Liston, a former manager in both Hoboken and Bridgeton.

The township sets aside space in its budget for the fire department. The fire department also holds fundraisers, but Garbutt recognized the fire department needs the township’s help financially. Garbutt said the department has done its part, not having purchased a fire truck since 2008.

“We’ll keep doing our function as long as the township helps us out financially,” Garbutt said, adding he’s confident everything will be resolved.