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Select Board outlines process to select Richmond fire chief as incumbent retires July 1
Summary
With Chief Dennis Skyle retiring July 1, the board proposed a selection process: two select board members plus the town manager will interview candidates, seek department feedback, and recommend an appointment; the board will revisit term length and whether to seek external candidates.
Chief Dennis Skyle will retire July 1 and the Richmond Select Board discussed a replacement process May 19.
Town Manager Josh Arnison proposed a selection panel of two select board members and the town manager to interview all interested firefighters, solicit department feedback, and decide on an appointment. Board members debated whether the position should be restricted to Richmond residents or opened more broadly, the appropriate term length for a chief appointment (various board members suggested a multi-year term with scheduled performance review), and whether the town should consider a part-time, interim or shared-service model with neighboring towns for administrative duties.
Board members agreed to return the item to the next meeting and to identify two select board volunteers to serve on the interview panel. Several members noted modern chief duties include substantial administrative, training and compliance work, and recommended the town consider candidates ble to manage both operational and paperwork-heavy responsibilities.
