ATHOL — After serving 36 years and 10 months on the fire department, with the last three years and 5 months at the helm, Fire Chief John Duguay is hanging up his helmet. His last day in the office will be Sept. 1, and the Town Manager reported to the Selectmen this week the position has been posted on the town website. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, July 24 by 1 p.m.
Town Manager Shaun Suhoski has received inquiries from two people interested in serving as the Selectboard’s citizen designee on the search committee and will present them at the next Selectmen’s meeting, scheduled for July 17.
The Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director position, with a starting salary in the $100,000 range plus a benefits package, is appointed by the town manager. The Fire Chief is responsible for managing all administrative and operations aspects of the town’s full-service fire and ambulance department. Candidates must have a minimum of 15 years experience at a fire department and five years experience in a firefighting command capacity, and be EMT Basic certified. Candidates must live within a 15-mile radius of the town boundary, and hold an associate’s degree in fire science, business management or related field.
Town Hall Position
The scope of the position of Town Hall Building Superintendent/Custodian is being reviewed prior to its posting. Suhoski noted that Dennis Kimball retired at the end of April. The general oversight and planning for public buildings was added to the Assistant Superintendent of Public Works job description prior to the recent hiring of Richard Kilhart.
Before posting the position of superintendent/custodian, the SEIU (Service Employees International Union) and Department of Public Works will review the job description. Suhoski said that in the interim, Whitcomb Commercial Services will provide housekeeping services for $200 per week until the position is filled.