Nov 30, 2003 GLOBE SOUTH 2 / COMMUNITY BRIEFING
AVON Nearly a year after Fire Chief Jackson Macomber retired, new Fire Chief Kevin Partridge began work Nov. 24. The Board of Selectmen appointed Partridge Sept. 18 pending contract negotiations, which have been completed, said Executive Secretary John Groulx. Partridge left his position as Berkley's fire chief to take the job in Avon. Wareham resident John Bergeron, who has served as temporary part-time fire chief since April, has left the department. Macomber had been with the department for 30 years. NORWOOD "STRONG CHIEF LAW" STAYS - Perhaps swayed by the image of Town Manager John Carroll - instead of a firefighter - coming through the door of a burning house, voters at Town Meeting Nov. 20 rejected a proposal that would have weakened the so-called "strong chief law." By an 80-62 count, the fire chief will continue to report to the Board of Selectmen, technically making it an independent position because the board meets weekly. The police chief, meanwhile, reports directly to Carroll, who works full time. "I think [Selectman] Gary Lee's comment [at Town Meeting] about wanting to see a firefighter coming to save you and not a town official got people's attention," said fellow board member Denis Drummey. "I was one of those who changed their mind. I initially wanted to have the fire chief report to the town manager. But it's been this way since 1926 and it seems to be working fine." NEW FIRE CHIEF NEEDED - While the fire chief's position in the town's chain of command has been settled, the person who will head the department on a permanent basis has yet to be named. Fire Chief William Sullivan, who last month filed for disability retirement after being out since July with a heart condition, had his application approved last week by a panel of three doctors. Sullivan needs only the approval of the state's Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission to collect as much as 80 percent of his $100,000 salary. "That will probably be a rubber stamp move after three doctors agreed with his retirement," said Selectman Denis Drummey, who added that the town will soon begin its search for a new chief. Deputy Fire Chief Ronald Maggio has been filling in for Sullivan. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "massfire" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/massfire?hl=en.
