PITTSFIELD — Mayor John Ring has called a special meeting of the Pittsfield Town Council at 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, to appoint someone to act in charge during the vacation absence of Town Manager D. Dwight Dogherty.

Dogherty left for a two-week vacation on Wednesday and when asked by Ring during a Tuesday night council meeting who would be in charge of town affairs while he was gone, Dogherty said that each department head could handle individual business. “We have very competent people working for us,” said the manager. “I’m sure they can handle anything that comes up.”

Dogherty said he would be taking a FAX machine with him on his trip to Florida so communication on vital matters would be possible.

On Thursday, however, Ring said he received a number of telephone calls after the council meeting stating that the town charter requires the town manager to appoint someone to act in his place when he is away or unavailable.

“We must all abide by the charter, all of us,” Ring said. Ring said this instance was another example of his campaign to hire an office manager, either from outside the office or by using one of the current staff members.

“I have always maintained that we need to lessen the burden on Dwight,” said Ring. He said he will address the issue of an office manager during the next budget session.