Bill > H3875

This bill establishes specific procedures for appointing and removing key personnel within Dartmouth Fire District Number Two, a local government entity responsible for fire services. The bill states that the fire chief, who will head the department, will be appointed by the prudential committee, a governing body of the district, for a term of up to three years and can be reappointed. The prudential committee can suspend or remove the chief for just cause after a hearing, but failing to reappoint the chief does not count as removal and doesn't require a hearing; any appeal of a suspension or removal by the chief will go to binding arbitration. The chief will hire all fire department members and appoint a deputy and other necessary officers, and can suspend or remove these subordinates for just cause after a hearing, with appeals of removal going to the prudential committee. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the treasurer and clerk of the district will also be appointed by the prudential committee for terms up to three years, with similar reappointment provisions and disciplinary procedures as the chief, and allows for one person to hold both the treasurer and clerk positions. The bill also eliminates the role of district auditors, transferring their duties to a professional auditor chosen by the prudential committee.