DEBBIE LAPLACA
Worcester Telegram and Gazette

CHARLTON - Building Commissioner Curtis J. Meskus, who also serves as assistant call fire chief, is being scrutinized by selectmen and investigated by the state Ethics Commission for allegations of double-dipping.

Mr. Meskus has been a Charlton call firefighter for 27 years. Seven years ago, selectmen hired him as the building commissioner. Today, officials are debating whether one person can hold the two town jobs while being compensated for both.

According to remarks at a recent board meeting, selectmen knew that Mr. Meskus would respond to, and receive hourly pay for, fire emergencies during the hours he is paid to perform the duties of commissioner.

Each year selectmen have reappointed Mr. Meskus without issue. This year, one board member is steadfast in his objection to the arrangement, now in its seventh year.

"I think the bottom line is ... it's not right to be paid for one job while you are doing the other," David M. Singer said.

Chairman Peter J. Boria disagreed. "He has the right to serve in both capacities as long as he isn't paid overtime and this board authorizes it."

The controversy has gone to the state Ethics Commission.

"I am the person who filed the ethics complaint," Charlton resident and business owner Vincent P. Iuliano said in a recent interview.

Mr. Iuliano has had disputes with Mr. Meskus in the past, mostly relating to the commissioner's decisions on his commercial properties and recycling business, American Reclamation Corp., some of which were settled in court. This recent debate caught his attention.

"I believe, as a taxpayer, that the man shouldn't be double-dipping. I am complaining about paying twice for the same hour of service," he said.

It began in April with a fire call that led

Police Sgt. Graham Maxfield to question whether the arrangement violates the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.

"When I answered an ambulance call ... one of the fire personnel was the building inspector. It was the middle of the day and the middle of the week, so I inquired how he was doing both jobs at the same time," Sgt. Maxfield said in a recent interview.

"It's not about Curt Meskus, it's about fairness. It doesn't pass the smell test," Sgt. Maxfield said, adding he was obligated to inform selectmen.

At the selectmen's meeting last week, Mr. Meskus reported that since 2003, he has responded to 57 fire calls during his 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. commissioner's hours, or about eight calls per year.

"I don't go on what we call smells and bells," he said, noting he responds only to serious emergencies.

Mr. Meskus is paid about $62,000 annually for his 40 hours per week as commissioner and up to $24.32 per hour for fire calls.

Town Counsel James F. Cosgrove advised that because Mr. Meskus is a salaried rather than hourly employee, and does not receive overtime pay, he is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act; however, he did say the board should seek a "bulletproof" opinion from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Selectman Rick C. Swensen said, "I don't believe it's double-dipping, I believe he is performing both jobs. It's a salaried position and as long as the job is being done, the time taken to answer a call shouldn't be an issue. They (the salaried) make up the time needed to get the job done."

Selectman Kathleen W. Walker said, "My main concern is perception. I don't have a problem if he leaves the job of building inspector for an afternoon, but I think he should make up those hours."

Town Administrator Robin L. Craver was asked to seek an opinion from federal labor officials. Mr. Meskus volunteered to forgo firefighter pay for calls during office hours for now.

Copyright 2010 Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
June 8, 2010