Westford Denies Lowell Sun's Request for Access to Fire Department Review

The Town of Westford denied The Lowell Sun’s public records request to access an external review conducted on the Fire Department.

Town Manager Jodi Ross said the review is a personnel record that contains information that should be kept private, according to The Lowell Sun.

However, The Sun reported that a member of the department said the record is not as Ross described. David Greenwood said a consultant from the Carlisle Management Tools and Resources Group, a firm paid to review the department, singled out no employee for review.

The Sun requested the record after former Fire Chief Richard Ronchon retired on short notice.

The Board of Selectmen met in executive session on Friday, June 12 and listed attorney-client communication related to the Fire Department. Ronchon left office that Monday and received a $29,000 payout in unused sick and vacation time.

The Sun has asked Ross to reconsider her decision and plans to appeal Ross’ decision to the Secretary of State’s Office.

Read the full story on The Lowell Sun.