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Date: 12/12/2023
PALMER — The Three Rivers Fire District residents have approved a change to the residency requirement for the fire chief position.
The decision, made during a special meeting on Dec. 6 at the Fire Department Headquarters, expands the potential candidate area to include those within a 10-mile radius of the district.
The amendment follows the departure of former Fire Chief Scott Turner, who left for a position in the Berkshires. Previously, the district required the fire chief to reside within its boundaries, limiting the range of potential applicants.
Norman Czech, the chairperson of the meeting, mentioned that a candidate from Wilbraham was considered, but the former residency rule was a limiting factor.
Under the new rule, the incoming chief must move to the district within 12 months of their hiring. The adjustment balances the need for a broader search area with the integration of the chief into the local community.
Interim Fire Chief Stephen Nodurf manages the department, which includes a mix of volunteers and part-time firefighters. The search for a permanent chief has been ongoing since Turner’s departure.
The amendment to the residency rule was met with some procedural concerns. A Finance Committee member claimed the committee did not approve the residency article before the meeting.
The town clerk and attorney cleared the way for the residency article inclusion on the agenda, according to Czech, including the residency amendment article in the meeting’s agenda. Despite the challenge, the amendment was supported by most attendees and board members.
Czech discussed the difficulties in finding a suitable replacement for Turner, citing the limited number of qualified local candidates. The search, facilitated through the Massachusetts Fire Chiefs Association, initially yielded few candidates from the immediate area, prompting the need for this policy change.
Czech expressed hope for the amendment’s positive impact on the search process. He mentioned that a qualified candidate from Wilbraham was a strong contender. The position offers a salary of around $70,000, and the new chief will be responsible for the Three Rivers district.
The residency requirement amendment responds to the challenges of recruiting a fire chief in a small town, especially with a limited candidacy pool. Meeting members also approved the following articles:
Authorize the Water Department to pursue federal funding for the preliminary design and environmental reporting costs related to a water tank restoration project.