Schleicher Sworn in as Fire Chief

Swearing in ceremony took place Thursday, Oct. 6.

Norton Public Library was a full house Thursday, Oct. 6 as Norton Fire Chief Paul Schleicher was sworn in by Town Clerk Danielle Sicard.  “I want to thank the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen and the department for awarding me this position,” Schleicher said. “I certainly will not let you down.”  In Schleicher’s new position, he will be looking for a deputy chief to help with responsibilities. Another goal of his is to bring more technology to the fire department and keep an open line of communication open with town residents. Ever since his first official day as fire chief when Tropical Storm Irene came to town, Schleicher has embraced social media as a way of doing so.  After thanking his friends, family and town officials for …

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AN INSIDE LOOK

New Fire Chief is an Excellent Choice

Despite a flawed search process, Norton's new Chief was a wise pick.

While I was definitely not a fan of the sham search process Norton employed in selecting a new fire chief, I am most definitely a fan of the choice himself. Norton native Paul Schleicher is the new chief, and it is a promotion richly deserved. Norton’s deputy chief for the last seven years, Schleicher was the obvious pick to head the department he has served for some 37 years. He has literally grown up in the department, and watched it grow with him. When the swearing-in ceremony is held for the new chief, selectmen had better make sure they hold it in big room.  If just Paul’s family members attend, the crowd could be bigger than some of Norton’s Town Meetings.  One of the largest and most respected families in town, the Schleichers are …

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AN INSIDE LOOK

A Tale of Two Fire Chief Searches

One town limits its search, and one town doesn't.

The towns of Norton and Sharon are both currently conducting searches for a new fire chief. They are at different stages of their processes, but that is hardly the only difference. In Sharon, they are at the end of their second search this year. They received almost 100 applications and have narrowed their list down to three finalists. Each is currently a fire chief in another municipality, including two from Massachusetts. Each has considerable experience running a fire department. In Norton, selectmen are awaiting the results of a Civil Service exam to let them know if there will have any choice at all over who will be the next chief. In Norton, the town manager makes the appointment.  Deputy Chief Paul Schleicher and one other …

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Fire Chief Position Filled for Now

Deputy Fire Chief Paul Schleicher appointed to the post.

Selectmen approved a provisional Fire Chief Thursday, to fill in after current Chief Richard Gomes retires at the end of July. Deputy Fire Chief Paul Schleicher was appointed to the post, and will take over the helm on July 28. The board acted immediately on receiving the nomination from Gomes, so there would be no vacancy in that important position while a permanent replacement is secured. Board members and Town Manager Michael Yunits expressed extreme frustration that they had not yet received the results from the March civil service exam. Two people took the exam, one of them Schleicher and the other unknown, and when the scores are finally received, the board will decide whether to promote the new Chief from within the department or …

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