The continuing shakeup of the Fire District 2 Prudential Committee will come to an end by the end of the month. On July 31, the committee will hold a special election to replace former member Bob Bouley, who resigned in June. 

Bouley resigned shortly after a recall effort was levied against him by a group of community members. The effort to recall Bouley started with a petition that received 236 signatures, and was presented on May 22. It faulted Bouley for removing Greg Edgcomb from his position as acting fire chief “without any process, and in violation of the Open Meeting Law and the District By-Laws” and for refusing to interview Edgcomb for the role of permanent fire chief.

The same criticisms were levied against former Prudential Committee member William Coutu, but he was unseated by John Sousa in a 235-6 margin in the April 28 district election. 

Paul Abrantes, who was part of the group to recall Bouley, was thought to be the only candidate for the special election. However, Becky Vital Amaral filed her paperwork just before the deadline, setting the stage for a contested election to fill the open committee seat. 

Becky Vital Amaral

Lifelong Fire District 2 resident Becky Vital Amaral wants to make a positive impact on the fire district. 

“I am passionate about our town and I am committed to working in the best interest of the district,” she said. 

Amaral wants to ensure that the board works effectively and correctly so that taxes stay the same while providing quality services from the department. 

Amaral has over 25 years of municipal government experience, which she believes will be an asset to the Prudential Committee. 

“I can bring that knowledge in regards to budget operations and management and long term capital improvements,” she said. “I think that will help the current situation.”

As far back as October 2022, the Prudential Committee has made decisions not necessarily reflected by the requests of district voters, as they have expressed at the district’s annual meeting. 

“The department has been in turmoil for quite some time and I think that I can make a difference in moving it forward in a positive direction,” said Amaral. 

Amaral said she believes the pay for the fire chief position is fair, but she does see some concern with the deputy chief position receiving both stipends and a salary. Amaral worries it may be too much money for the position. 

In response to the April 14 letter from Attorney Anthony Savastano’s to the Massachusetts Inspector General to investigate four issues of what was described as questionable conduct committed by previous committee members, Amaral said the issues in that letter were “very concerning.”

“I would move forward to make sure some of those things do not happen again.”

Amaral also made it clear that she has no family ties to the fire department and would not need to abstain from any votes due to a conflict of interest, an issue brought up in Savastano’s letter.

When it comes to spending in the district, Amaral believes she will help ensure the budget is balanced. 

“Most importantly, make sure that funding is adequate because that was a bit of an issue not that long ago that funds were not there and they were over spending,” Amaral said.

Paul Abrantes

Paul Abrantes started going to Prudential Committee meetings last spring. He quickly learned from his firefighting son and daughter-in-law about the controversies surrounding the district. 

Since then, he’s been attending prudential committee meetings and meeting other passionate residents, eventually becoming part of the effort to recall former member Bob Bouley from the committee. When it became apparent that the recall could happen, Abrantes stepped forward. 

“I saw that there were some individuals that were making life difficult for district 2, they were doing some nefarious things, going down the line cutting equipment, reducing salaries,” Abrantes said. “You can complain in life, but I said ‘Let’s do something about it.’”

Now that same group that aimed to recall Bouley is rallying around Abrantes as his election committee and “advisors.”

Abrantes said he primarily wants to increase communication between the prudential committee and the district’s firefighters. The committee should know about the district’s day to day operations, he argues. 

To that end, Abrantes has been going to Wednesday night fire drills to talk to the firefighters and understand what equipment and resources they need. 

“They’re willing to get out of bed at three in the morning, so that’s what inspired me,” he said. 

During the day, he works as an administrator at Advanced Eye Centers in Dartmouth, and he said his experience managing medical practices means he understands what it takes to run a facility, including where budget cuts can be made and where expenditures are necessary. 

For instance, Abrantes thinks the district staff and new chief are being paid appropriately now, but wants to review it from time to time to keep it in line with towns of similar population. 

“I just want to be sure that the fire department stays status quo,” Abrantes said. “I want to be sure that [the department] has equipment and the morale is good.”