Politics & Government
Two Firefighters Hired in Norton
Nicholas S. Reis and Eric J. Tynan join the ranks.
Norton Town Manager Michael Yunits has appointed two new firefighters, bringing personnel to the minimum recommendation of 28, but at least one selectman would like to see staffing even higher.
Fire Chief Paul Schleicher announced the appointments at Thursday's selectmen's meeting, saying the interviewing committee had originally anticipated hiring only one. Presented with two talented candidates as finalists, however, they could not decide, and had the happy task of approving both.
The officer candidates, Nicholas S. Reis and Eric J. Tynan, are both EMT's as well as firefighters, and are currently working in other communities. They will not start work in Norton until four weeks before the start of a 12-week stint at firefighter academy.
That schooling, described by Schleicher as "intense" could begin in January if slots are available, but Schleicher said it is more likely that the candidates will have to wait until the April term.
Selectmen approved the appointments, but board member Robert Kimball said hiring more people will help bring down the high cost of department overtime, compounded this past year by retirements, multiple sick leaves, and injuries.
Now retired Fire Chief Richard Gomes told the board in July, in explanation of the $750,000 in overtime chalked up by the department over the course of the year, that the youngest member of the department was 31, and the average age was 45. As they age, he said, firefighters have more medical issues and more absences, making overtime an increasing expense.
Kimball suggested Thursday that the board aim for a total of four new firefighters, bringing the level of staff to 30. "Maybe by spring," he said.
Gomes had said that if the staffing had been at 28, at least $116,000 in overtime would not have been necessary.
The two new recruits will spend the month before their academy schooling working in the department, learning some techniques and processes, and making sure the job is a good fit. "It's worked in the past," Schleicher said.