Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Civil Service topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Haverhill council approves home‑rule petition to raise maximum hiring age for police and fire
Summary
The City Council approved a home‑rule petition to raise the maximum age for original appointment as a Haverhill firefighter or police officer to 40, a change supported by department chiefs who said it will expand the applicant pool while retaining existing testing and fitness standards.
The Haverhill City Council voted unanimously to approve a home‑rule petition authorizing the mayor to seek special legislation establishing the maximum age for original appointment to firefighter and police officer at 40.
Mayor Barrett introduced the petition, saying the change would expand the pool of qualified applicants without changing existing physical and mental standards. The police chief told the council that candidate lists have shrunk dramatically from historical highs (he said lists were once about 400 deep and are now closer to 40), and called the petition “a step in the right direction” to access candidates with military experience and other mature applicants who can meet testing and interview standards. The fire chief echoed support, noting the change would allow more candidates to take the civil service test; both chiefs emphasized standards and testing remain intact.
Councilors pressed for clarity that qualifications beyond age—physical fitness, examinations and interviews—remain the same; supporters said those safeguards will continue. The council motion to approve passed on a unanimous roll call of 10 yeas, 0 nays, 1 absent.
Next steps are procedural: the mayor is authorized to submit the home‑rule petition to the Legislature for special legislation to amend the age requirement for original appointment.
