Selectmen's search for new fire chief progressesNew Page
Date: 5/7/2012
May 7, 2012By Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.comEAST LONGMEADOW — The search for the next East Longmeadow Fire Chief is reaching its conclusion with two finalists recently being named.
The Board of Selectmen announced at its May 1 meeting that two finalists — Deputy Fire Chief Stephen Rybacki and Capt. Paul Morrissette have been identified as the best two candidates for the position.
Interviews have been scheduled to take place during the board's June 12 meeting. Town Administrator Nick Breault told the Selectmen he is currently in the process of developing the list of questions for the candidates.
"There will be a need for those questions and I am looking for suggestions," he said.
The Board of Selectmen have been looking for a new fire chief due to state law, which requires chiefs to retire after the age of 65, which means current Fire Chief Richard Brady will leave his post effective the end of June.
The Board of Selectmen is also looking to fill two positions in the Parks and Recreation Department.
"The Board has decided to open up for applications the position of director of Parks and Recreation," new Board of Selectmen Chair Jack Villamaino said.
The salary range for the director's position is being advertised as $44,096 to $59,587, according to Breault.
Selectman James Driscoll questioned whether or not the position needed to be posted internally first, but Breault explained that it has not been the town's practice to take that action with non-union department head positions. Internal candidates are welcome to apply, however.
"In the past for this position, in 2006, the board conducted an external search, if you will. That didn't mean that internal candidates couldn't apply," he said. "The board has not, typically, for department head positions excluded a period solely for internal or external candidates."
The application deadline for the position is May 18 with the Board of Selectmen meeting on May 21 to review the applications and select finalists. Interviews with the finalists will take place on May 29 in order to ensure the employment of the new director by July 1.
Villamaino also recognized the resignation of part-time Parks and Recreation employee Colin Drury, which opens up a 19-hour-a-week position in the department.
"The good news is [Drury] is doing it so he can run our summer programs at Pine Knoll," he said.
