Oxford appoints Jennifer Scott new police officer,

Jeromy Grniet new police sergeant;
Lamountain praises Bay Path Vocational High School

By Janet Stoica
Patriot Correspondent

OXFORD--Most of the Oxford Board of Selectmen’s September 25^th meeting was taken up by public safety considerations. One of the first items on the agenda was a presentation by Fire Chief Sheri Bemis regarding public safety mutual aid, which allows Oxford to both send and receive public works mutual aid in the event of a public safety incident (emergency). As noted in DPW Director Sean Divoll’s memo to Chief Bemis “such emergencies include ice storms, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Instead of contracting for additional crews and equipment and incurring the associated expense, opting into the statewide mutual aid will allow Oxford to receive relief from other non-impacted communities at no cost.” It was also noted in Mr. Divoll’s memo that “Oxford would incur expenses when sending crews and equipment to neighboring communities in need, but the cost would be earned back as soon as the need for emergency assistance in Oxford arises.”  Chief Bemis also noted that Dudley had also opted into the mutual aid, but that Webster had not. The Board unanimously voted to “opt in” to the Public Safety Mutual Aid Agreement.

Jennifer Scott was then interviewed for a full-time Police Officer position. Ms. Scott was the only candidate for the position and had served as an intermittent officer. Board members Michael Voas and Henry Lamountain recused themselves from the interview and voting process and after much praise from Chairman John Saad and Board members Dennis Lamarche and Jennie Caissie, Ms. Scott was appointed to the position contingent upon medical and PATS tests. Mr. Lamarche stated “she has proven that she can do the job” while Ms. Caissie commented that “if I were going to Foxwoods tonight, I’d put all my money on you.”

Chairman Saad then directed the full Board to the Police Sergeant interview process. Three strong candidates presented themselves in Richard Bryn, Kevin Lebreton, and Jeromy Grniet. Mr. Saad noted that the Board’s decision would be based on multiple criteria, including civil service scores, background information, Police Chief’s recommendation, educational background, personal observations in the community, and on-the-job performance. After each Board member completed each candidate’s inquiry process, a vote was taken and the appointment was made for Mr. Jeromy Grniet.

The board also signed reappointment papers for Police Officer Jason Burdett to serve with the Oxford Police Dept., approved a change of name for Periwinkle’s Pub to J.Anthony’s Italian Grill, approved a Crop Walk request from the Oxford Ecumenical Council to be held on Sunday, 10/21/12 @ 1p.m., and approved the Tercentennial Committee’s request for a beer & wine pouring license for next July’s 300^th Anniversary Celebration as well as their request for an outside entertainment license for those same days. The Board also requested that courtesy letters be mailed out to local abutters regarding the 2-day activities.

Selectmen then discussed the closure of Sunny Farms of 233 Main Street and that a potential new owner, Bizmart, must come before the Board to request a transfer of the former store’s beer & wine license. The Board will also send a letter to the previous owner requiring a 30-day response as to the disposition of the beer & wine license.

Lastly, Town Manager Zeneski announced the Fall Bulk Item Drop-Off dates which will be held on Saturday, 10/27, for residents residing from Oxford Center to the north end of Town and Saturday, 11/3, for residents living south of Oxford Center. Drop-off times are from 8 a.m. -3p.m. at the Oxford Transfer Station. Drop-off dates will be strictly enforced; however, if anyone is unable to make their respective day, they are to phone the DPW (508) 987-6006 to make other arrangements before 10/25. All participants must have proof of Oxford residency.  Mr. Zeneski also noted that the October Special Town Meeting will be held next Wednesday, 10/3, at 7pm at Oxford High School. He noted that the agenda was short but would affect the Town’s tax rate and urged all voters to come out to the meeting.

After Mr. Zeneski’s final announcement regarding the October 4^th Special Election (with voting hours to be 12noon-8pm) for the Renovation Project of Bay Path Regional Vocational High School, an impassioned plea was made to voters by Selectman Lamountain in which he stated that the value of the trades offered at Bay Path were essential to the life of the local communities. “No longer is a vocational high school education looked upon negatively” he said.  “White collar jobs are no longer where the large incomes lie, it is in the essential trades like plumbing, electrical, metal fabrication, and all other important fields of study that Bay Path offers.” He further mentioned that the school was an extremely valuable asset to the area and that the hundreds of students who have successfully graduated and gone on to have businesses of their own are a testament to Bay Path’s value.  “Oxford currently has 143 students enrolled at Bay Path.  Get out and vote for the school’s success!” he declared.