Halloween Halloween In Gray (Photo Nathan Tsukroff and Ray Clark)

One had resigned several weeks ago, before the decision to move dispatch was made, and one resigned when he found a new position.

The Town closed the Gray dispatch office on Friday, October 27, without warning or notice. At least one employee was given just two weeks severance pay and two weeks vacation pay, despite being terminated nine weeks early.

The Council and Town Manager felt they had no choice but to make the move to Cumberland County immediately as a result of the resignations, although substitute dispatchers were available.

One of the dispatchers will remain on the job for some unspecified period, acting as administrative assistant, and another has been retained to train that person. The administrative assistant will be on duty Monday through Friday from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M., issuing burning permits and handling other duties.

Weekend callers to 657-3931-the nonemergency phone number for Gray Fire-Rescue-found themselves talking to Cumberland County. That problem at least has been rectified by the presence of the administrative assistant. But such calls before 9, after 4 or on weekends will apparently continue to be forwarded to Cumberland County Dispatch, crowding emergency calls.