Above: Southborough Fire Chief John Mauro Jr. announced his intention to retire in September
In January Fire Chief John Mauro Jr. announced his intention to retire this fall after 38 years in the department. Selectmen last night decided to wait until after the town elections in May to launch a search for his replacement.
The decision was made in part because the three member board is currently short a member after the resignation of Selectwoman Bonnie Phaneuf last month. The open seat on the board will be filled after the May elections.
The selectmen did not discuss how the fire chief search would be conducted. Town Administrator Jean Kitchen said they have the option of forming a committee to evaluate and recommend candidates similar to the process used to hire the town’s police chief in 2009.
Kitchen said the process could take as many as four months. With elections in May and Mauro’s retirement expected in September, that doesn’t leave a lot of time.
Given the timeline, Selectman Bill Boland said the board will have to make some “quick decisions” in finding a new fire chief.
