Updates stories posted at 9:47 a.m. and 4:47 p.m. Wednesday

BLANDFORD -- Residents facing any kind of emergency — fire, medical or otherwise — should continue to dial 911 even though the town is currently without a functioning fire department, officials stressed Thursday.



Fire Chief Robert DeCoteau and his colleagues – seven regular volunteer firefighters and a probationary firefighter – resigned in protest Tuesday after a final clash with the Board of Selectmen over an ongoing dispute about who has the authority to appoint firefighters, and about criminal background checks for town officials.



Selectmen Adam Dolby, who is also a probationary firefighter, said Thursday morning he is hopeful that the crisis will be resolved Friday when selectmen meet in a special session, beginning at 7 p.m. in Town Hall, to address the issue.



"I expect to have this largely resolved at Friday's meeting," Dolby said, adding that he has worked up a number of proposals to get the firefighters to rejoin the department and potentially draw new recruits. "I think we are at a point where we can pull this all together."



Dolby said he feels positive about a quick resolution after informal talks with his fellow selectmen and firefighters. He stressed that these talks were for what he described as "temperature-taking" purposes and that the actual negotiations will take place at the open meeting.

In the meantime, Dolby said, selectmen have asked former Blandford firefighter Alan Vautier to serve in the temporary post of officer in charge of volunteers until a temporary chief or permanent chief is appointed, perhaps as soon as the meeting on Friday.

Vautier served on the department for over 15 years, Dolby said. Vautier could not be immediately reached for comment.



Selectman Bill Levakis, who has been a frequent critic of the chief, and Selectman Mick Brennan have not responded to phone and email messages left by The Republican in wake of the mass resignation Tuesday.



Both Dolby and Steven Gaughan, service director for the Hilltown Community Ambulance, stressed that residents should continue to call 911 in case of emergencies.



First responders from surrounding communities will pick up on those calls and the Huntington-based Hilltown Community Ambulance will continue to respond to Blandford as it has for more than ten years.



"In reality, nothing has changed for us," said Gaughan. "We continue to deliver the same services that we always have."



For several months, fire officials have battled the Board of Selectmen over various authority issues, including who has power to make appointments to the 10-member fire department. The bickering finally climaxed Tuesday evening, when firefighters submitted a group resignation letter to town officials in anticipation of the board moving to replace DeCoteau with a new chief.

