WHITMAN – The Select Board on Tuesday, Oct. 8 took the opportunity to salute excellence in service to the town, while preparing for the next generation of public safety officers.
Board Chair Dr. Carl Kowalski read a proclamation of appreciation for service in recognition of Whitman Fire Department Deputy Chief Thomas Ford’s retirement, effective Sept. 30.
The proclamation made note of Ford’s 25 years of service to Whitman’s public safety, beginning as a firefighter/paramedic in 1999, assuming the role of lieutenant in 2020 and deputy chief in 2024 “all the while carrying on his duties in a manner that is a credit, not only to himself, but to the town of Whitman, as well.”
“The valued services and untiring devotion of Thomas G. Ford have not gone unnoticed or unappreciated and he will be sincerely missed by his retirement,” Kowalski read.
Fire Chief Timothy Clancy also spoke in recognition of Ford’s legacy of service.
“Tommy was one of the first paramedics that came into the department – truly started the foundation of the EMS system in Whitman Fire,” Clancy said, noting that Ford advanced through the ranks as a well-respected member and lieutenant, retiring as deputy chief.
But, he most wanted to discuss Ford’s role as SAFE officer, as he had with WATD’s Kevin Tocci on Monday night’s broadcast.
“Until he was deputy, he was the SAFE officer and generation, after generation, after generation, after generation of school children in this town were educated about fire awareness by Tom,” Clancy said. “Without a doubt, it made a difference. They know fireman Tom or Lt. Tom and they always say hi to him and they make mention of it.”
Clancy added that Ford had helped him as deputy chief, but “I also wish him a long and healthy retirement.”
Police Chief Timothy Hanlon then presented a request to the board to hire an additional officer to fill a retirement vacancy in his ranks. He is already in the process of hiring to fill one vacancy, when Det. Eric Campbell notified him last week that he plans to retire at the end of October.
“While we have the process open and the list called for, it just makes sense to make it two instead of one,” Hanlon said.
The Select Board approved the request.
In other business, the board approved a new approach toward obtaining state approval for
Berkley Botanicals’ host community agreement (HCA) with the town for its planned cannabis business.
Town Counsel Peter Somers reminded the board that the Cannabis Control Commission had rejected the HCA previously agreed to by the town and Berkley Botanicals.
“The CCC is, essentially, not approving custom-tailored agreements, but they will approve the model HCA – which is their model they proposed for folks to enter into,” he said. “I’ve spoken with Berkley, and with [ZBA Chair] John Goldrosen and, at the board’s direction, we propose that they seek additional relief from the ZBA through an amendment to their special permit and John as come up with some conditions for his board to consider.”
The ZBA must now vote on those conditions and Berkley has to apply to the ZBA for further relief.
“In the meantime, Berkley’s eager to get their application back to the CCC, because it takes some time to approve even the model HCA, so they can open their doors,” Somers said. “Every month of delay here is a month of delay for them to open their doors, essentially.”
He presented the board with a proposed model HCA between Whitman and Berkley on a separate track from the ZBA application. Somers said if they fail to obtain approval from the ZBA, then the model HCA is void.
The board approved the approach.