Published: 8/23/2018 9:41:37 PM
MONROE — Town Clerk/Administrative Assistant Marcella Stafford Gore says the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department has not entirely disbanded. In a brief email, Gore said the Selectboard is hoping to meet soon with remaining Fire Department firefighters and others to discuss moving forward.
Her email came in response to Tuesday night’s report on the Fire Department’s Facebook page, which said everyone in the department had resigned.
“As of (Monday) there is no longer a Monroe volunteer fire department, the chief of Mvfd has resigned and all members have followed,” says the post. “This was a decision that was out of our control. We would like to thank all members for dedication to the department throughout the years and to Readsboro fire department for mutual aid along with any other mutual aid we received. Thanks to (Shelburne Control Regional Dispatch Supervisor) Butch Garrity for all of his and his staff’s help and support from Shelburne control. Another thank you to everyone else who has supported this department throughout the years.”
According to Gore, Fire Chief Douglas Oakes Jr. resigned Monday night, effective immediately, at the Selectboard meeting. “The resignation offered no explanation and did not state anything regarding the status of fire department members,” said Gore.
Gore said she and others were told by Oakes that all members had resigned. “Our Selectboard Chair Carla Davis-Little has since spoken to a few members who relayed they will not be resigning,” Gore said. “So the department has not been disbanded.”
“She also spoke to Mr. Garrity, who will (alert) Readsboro (Vt.) and Florida, in case of an incident, which has always been our procedure with mutual aid,” said Gore.
Oakes has been unavailable for comment.