To the editor:
Mr. DiMento’s letter fails to acknowledge all that he has learned in his more than 40 years as a Swampscott Town Meeting member.
It saddens us to see comments that challenge without basis the integrity of good faith collective bargaining and the integrity of the men and women of Swampscott Police and Fire Departments.
It reflects a cynicism that plagues our politics these days, and a lack of facts that irresponsibly undermines our institutions.
Swampscott should be proud of the men and women of its Police and Fire Departments for embracing change and standing with the Civil Service Study Committee to call for change in how we recruit, hire, and promote the rank and file of both departments.
Massachusetts laws require every city and town to negotiate in good faith with our public safety unions any change in work conditions. Leaving Civil Service is a change in work conditions, and we support the right of the men and women in our Police and Fire Department to negotiate changes in their contract to reflect the changes in work conditions.
To suggest that there is any effort to deceive is simply mistaken. Mr. DiMento is an attorney and claims to be aware of state laws that govern the collective bargaining process. Therefore, he knows that ongoing contract negotiations are customarily not discussed in public while a final agreement is still pending. In fact, collective bargaining negotiations and new contract details are typically announced publicly and discussed in open session only after agreement by all parties, since collective bargaining is one of the few subjects that can be properly discussed by a board in executive session.
Further, any pending agreements, if ultimately signed and ratified, would not be subject to Town Meeting debate until the Annual Town Meeting in the Spring of 2021.
To suggest that Swampscott officials and the men and women of the Swampscott Police and Fire Departments who had the courage to support such a transformational decision to leave Civil Service would be “afraid” to discuss the details with Town Meeting is unfounded, inaccurate and irresponsible.
We anticipate that at the 2021 Annual Town Meeting that Town Meeting members will learn of significant changes in the Police and Fire Department union contracts. These changes relate not only to the end of Civil Service in Swampscott, but also provide significant reforms that will result in more efficient and accountable public safety services in Swampscott.
At such time, Town Meeting members can then ask questions and ultimately vote on whether to fund the cost items of the contract.
When Mr. DiMento is willing to work constructively toward meaningful reform, we will be more than willing to discuss with him how we continue to make progress in Swampscott. We are always open to constructive criticism, but not inaccurate information, unfair aspersions, and mischaracterizations. We are proud of the progress in Swampscott.
Swampscott should be proud of their Police and Fire Departments and local officials who stood up for change during this climate of unprecedented hostility, incivility, and disrespect.
Sincerely,
Sean Fitzgerald
Town Administrator
Chief Graham Archer
Swampscott Fire Department
Chief Ron Madigan
Swampscott Police Department
