News

Amesbury: Five fire chief candidates to be interviewed tomorrow

By Katie Farrell
Staff writer
Published: March 28, 2008

AMESBURY — Mayor Thatcher Kezer will spend the day tomorrow interviewing five candidates seeking to become the new fire chief.

Former Chief Bill Shute retired in October. Deputy fire Chief Jon Brickett has been the acting chief since that time.

The town hired the services of a Plymouth consulting firm, Bennett Yarger Associates, to aid in the search for the public safety position, as well as the opening for the town's Public Works director. Former director Brian Gilbert resigned in December to take a job in Tewksbury.

Kezer said the Saturday schedule fits due to his busy days working on the FY09 budget, holding AmesStat meetings and tending to daily business. It also is easier for applicants, he said, who might not have told their current employers they are looking elsewhere.

Interviews for the Public Works director opening will be held on an upcoming Saturday, as well, Kezer said. There are five candidates he will interview for that position, the mayor said.

The town is also searching for a new veterans' agent to replace Ron Koontz, who left to become a program coordinator with the state Department of Veterans' Services.

Tom Hughes recently resigned as conservation agent, a part-time position. The town has contracted with the Georgetown conservation agent, Steven Przyjemski, until the end of the fiscal year to fill in on a consulting basis, Kezer said.

The town had employed a consultant to review projects and make recommendations to the Conservation Commission in the time between the departure of the last agent and the hiring of Hughes.

After the mayor makes his hires, he will present his selections to the Municipal Council for approval. Under the Town Charter, the council has the authority to reject mayoral appointments, including department heads.