2 vets favored for fire chief
By Steve Whipple
MethuenLife Writer
The choice for Methuen’s next fire chief comes down to one of two veteran Methuen firefighters: Deputy Chief Steven Buote or Deputy Chief Sean Nartiff.
A source familiar with the search for Chief Cliff Gallant’s replacement confirms that one of the two men will get the job. The selection would then require City Council approval.
Gallant, who took over from Ken Bourassa in the summer of 2005, will retire June 28. His assistant chief, Dennis Bergeron, has already left the building, ending a 32-year run with the department.
Mayor William Manzi said, “Everyone that interviewed did well; I may have to reconvene the committee to discuss again. It’s a difficult decision but an important one, and I need to take my time. This has to be on the back burner until I reach a conclusion on the budget.”
The mayor has not stated publicly who he has in mind for the job.
As Gallant’s retirement approached, a search committee was formed comprised of Manzi, Gallant, former Chief Bourassa, City Council Chairwoman Deborah Quinn, Human Resource Director Colleen McCarthy and Manzi’s Chief of Staff Matt Kraunelis. The committee interviewed the four men who applied for the top fire job: Deputy William Barry, Deputy Steven Buote, Deputy Sean Nartiff and Captain Mike Buote (Steven’s younger brother).
“They threw their hats into the ring,” said Gallant, who has 32 years with the department. “We opened (the job) up to deputy chiefs and captains. We’ve always been in-house for this position in the 165 years or so the department has been around.”
He said the four candidates were given essay questions and interviewed. The mayor said he had hoped to have a decision earlier, but addressing the city’s $4 million budget deficit has taken up most of his time.
The four candidates applying for the chief’s position are:
• Deputy Bill Barry — deputy since 2006; shift commander; public relations; fire investigator; started with the Fire Department in 1987.
• Captain Mike Buote — captain four years; code enforcement, fire prevention, investigation; started with the Fire Department in 1987.
• Deputy Steven Buote — deputy since 2003; 11 years as a lieutenant; currently a shift commander and in charge of equipment repair and replacement; emergency management coordinator; started with the Fire Department in 1980.
• Deputy Sean Nartiff — deputy since 2003; captain five years; lieutenant five years; shift commander and fire investigator; started with the Fire Department in 1987.
“It’s the mayor’s decision now,” said Gallant. “We just give recommendations and the mayor decides with council approval. He’ll take over on June 28, and hopefully he’ll be on with me to learn the ropes.”
Whoever is appointed will have the unenviable task of laying off the last 15 firefighters who joined the department, as part of the citywide effort to stay within a budget suffering from a $4 million shortfall. Orders originally called for laying off 20 firefighters, but the department recently lost five members due to attrition. The assistant chief’s position held by Dennis Bergeron will not be filled.
