By CHRIS LINDAHL
@cmlindahl
Daily Hampshire Gazette
SOUTHAMPTON — Fire Chief John C. Workman is back on the job after being placed on paid administrative leave late last week as an investigation into what the Select Board terms a “personnel issue” continues.
Workman met with the Select Board behind closed doors Tuesday night at Town Hall. Immediately after the meeting began, Chairwoman Elizabeth Moulton said the board would enter into an executive session to discuss complaints or charges against a public employee, an allowable exemption to the state Open Meeting Law.
Officials have not made public the reason for Workman’s leave.
After the nearly two-hour session adjourned, Moulton, reading from a statement, said “The Select Board is currently investigating a personnel matter and as such we cannot comment at this time. The fire chief will be back working in his capacity effective immediately.”
Workman appeared to have left the building at that point and could not be reached for comment.
Workman, who lives in South Hadley, was hired as chief in October 2013. His contract stated that he must move to Southampton and within five miles of the fire station within a year.
The Select Board voted unanimously in October to allow him an additional six months to find a home in Southampton. That extension will expire in April.
Asked if Workman’s residency was the subject of the investigation, Moulton said she was unable to comment.
Workman was hired to replace Stephen Hyde Sr., who was fired in 2012 after six years as chief and 32 years with the department.
The reason for Hyde’s dismissal was not made public until over a year later in October 2013. The state Ethics Commission accused Hyde of violating conflict-of-interest laws by falsifying payroll documents to pay his son, Stephen Hyde Jr., for firefighting work he did not do, and for using a town-owned generator to power his home without permission.
In December, the commission fined the former chief $7,500 for the falsified payroll records. The commission found that Hyde committed no wrongdoing in using the generator, as it was used to power radio equipment.
Chris Lindahl can be reached at [email protected].
