Westborough’s three fire department “Life Safety Code” inspectors have been the subject of “negative comments” suggesting they’re “overstepping their bounds,” Fire Chief Nick Perron says.

Perron told selectmen Tuesday night he is pleased with the inspectors’ work.

“This town is very fortunate to have three top notch ‘Life Safety Code’ people. They do their job well. They do a tremendous job,” Perron said.

“I haven’t had any complaints about the work that they do—ever.  However, recently, I heard scuttlebutt—he said/she said, negative comments—from a few disgruntled people about them overstepping their bounds enforcing ‘Life Safety Codes,’ (which) have to be enforced.”

Perron asked the board for time at an upcoming meeting to present why the fire inspection program exists, and the laws and procedures inspectors must follow.

The issue arises with the 10^th anniversary of The Station nightclub fire on the horizon, Perron said. The Feb. 20, 2003 blaze at the West Warwick, R.I. nightclub killed 100 people.

“Several of our new codes that have to be enforced are the direct result of the Rhode Island incident,” Perron told selectmen Tuesday in a letter.

Selectmen Chairman Leigh Emery said the matter is “really explaining a very complex part of your mission.”

“I think the issue is our understanding what the program is,” she said.