Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Williamstown Fire Chief William Graham resigns effective Oct. 15; Selectboard declines to accept
Summary
Fire Chief William Graham submitted a resignation effective Oct. 15, 2024, citing a desire to change priorities. The Selectboard recorded a motion to accept the resignation but three members declined to accept it during the Sept. 30 meeting; no formal acceptance was recorded.
Williamstown Fire Chief William Graham submitted his resignation to the town manager and the Selectboard on Sept. 30, 2024, saying he would step down as chief effective Oct. 15, 2024. The resignation followed a contentious public-input period during the Selectboard meeting.
"It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter to you...Unfortunately, I have made the decision to resign as Fire Chief, effective October 15, 2024," Graham wrote in a letter read during the meeting. He listed department accomplishments under his near-11-year tenure, including increases in membership and new apparatus and offered to remain on the department and assist with training a successor.
According to the meeting minutes, Chris Wade attempted to move to accept Graham's resignation but was told he could not make the motion because he was acting chair; Selectboard members Clayton Woodworth, Scott McCarthy and Tyler Mitchell declined to accept the resignation. The minutes do not record a formal vote accepting the resignation. The town manager and the Selectboard have not recorded any subsequent formal acceptance in the meeting transcript.
The resignation letter says Graham would remain available to the department after Oct. 15 and to help train a newly appointed chief if desired. The board adjourned at 8:52 p.m.; no further action on the resignation is recorded in the meeting minutes.
