https://vtdigger.org/2016/03/26/winooski-fire-chief-placed-on-paid-administrative-leave/
Just what could a fire chief be doing that would get him put on administrative leave?
Winooski fire chief placed on paid administrative leave
WINOOSKI — City officials have placed the fire chief on paid administrative leave, according to City Manager Katherine Decarreau.
Decarreau would not say Friday why Chief David Bergeron, who also serves as the city’s code enforcement officer and emergency manager, was placed on administrative leave.
She would say only that Bergeron was placed on leave pursuant to a “human resources issue” and paid leave is a status that is neither “punitive nor disciplinary.”
“It can be used in any number of circumstances,” she said.
Asked if the personnel action had anything to do with Bergeron’s handling of the recent discovery of what police describe as a hash oil lab in downtown Winooski, Decarreau declined to comment.
Though she was out of town when the lab was discovered on March 8, she said she believed city officials, including Bergeron, handled the situation “expertly and brilliantly.”
City officials received a tip about the clandestine activity in a Main Street apartment on block filled with popular bars and restaurants. Bergeron was the first to respond, and the tenant agreed to allow him into the apartment, police have said.
Police were then called and officials discovered what they say was a butane hash oil extraction lab. Butane is flammable and can cause explosions if ignited in a poorly ventilated space. Officials said people have been killed in butane hash lab explosions elsewhere in the country.
Fire and law enforcement officials closed traffic into Burlington for close to nine hours after they found the hash oil operation, and evacuated people who lived in apartments on the block. The Vermont Hazardous Materials Response Team and the state police clandestine lab unit responded to the scene.
Two restaurants stayed open throughout the episode, but officials blocked the sidewalk in front of the businesses, according to the Burlington Free Press.
At a news conference on March 9 Winooski Police Lt. Scott McGivern said the tenant and at least one other person were identified as suspects and police believed a crime had occurred.
Winooski Police Chief Rick Hebert did not respond to an inquiry about whether any suspects were arrested in connection with the lab, or if police still believe a crime occurred.
State’s Attorney TJ Donovan said Friday that it was his understanding the case is still being investigated.
Decarreau said she hopes to release more information about why Bergeron was placed on leave as soon as possible.
Just what could a fire chief be doing that would get him put on administrative leave?
Winooski fire chief placed on paid administrative leave
WINOOSKI — City officials have placed the fire chief on paid administrative leave, according to City Manager Katherine Decarreau.
Decarreau would not say Friday why Chief David Bergeron, who also serves as the city’s code enforcement officer and emergency manager, was placed on administrative leave.
She would say only that Bergeron was placed on leave pursuant to a “human resources issue” and paid leave is a status that is neither “punitive nor disciplinary.”
“It can be used in any number of circumstances,” she said.
Asked if the personnel action had anything to do with Bergeron’s handling of the recent discovery of what police describe as a hash oil lab in downtown Winooski, Decarreau declined to comment.
Though she was out of town when the lab was discovered on March 8, she said she believed city officials, including Bergeron, handled the situation “expertly and brilliantly.”
City officials received a tip about the clandestine activity in a Main Street apartment on block filled with popular bars and restaurants. Bergeron was the first to respond, and the tenant agreed to allow him into the apartment, police have said.
Police were then called and officials discovered what they say was a butane hash oil extraction lab. Butane is flammable and can cause explosions if ignited in a poorly ventilated space. Officials said people have been killed in butane hash lab explosions elsewhere in the country.
Fire and law enforcement officials closed traffic into Burlington for close to nine hours after they found the hash oil operation, and evacuated people who lived in apartments on the block. The Vermont Hazardous Materials Response Team and the state police clandestine lab unit responded to the scene.
Two restaurants stayed open throughout the episode, but officials blocked the sidewalk in front of the businesses, according to the Burlington Free Press.
At a news conference on March 9 Winooski Police Lt. Scott McGivern said the tenant and at least one other person were identified as suspects and police believed a crime had occurred.
Winooski Police Chief Rick Hebert did not respond to an inquiry about whether any suspects were arrested in connection with the lab, or if police still believe a crime occurred.
State’s Attorney TJ Donovan said Friday that it was his understanding the case is still being investigated.
Decarreau said she hopes to release more information about why Bergeron was placed on leave as soon as possible.
