Fire Chief Selection 'In The Home Stretch,' Says Jeffrey

The may have a new fire chief as soon as two weeks from now, though Chief of Staff Doug Jeffrey said he's thinking the end of March is a more likely timeframe.

"We're in the home stretch," Jeffrey said during a recent interview in his office at Town Hall. "Optimistically, in two weeks we may have a new fire chief — but a lot of things have to fall into place."

With the variables that may come into play with final candidates, Jeffrey added that "realistically, by the end of March, we should be ready to make an appointment."

Jeffrey has been serving on a search committee with Police Chief Richard S. Tamburini, Central Coventry Fire District Chief Bob Seltzer, Lime Rock (Lincoln) Fire Department Chief Frank M. Sylvester, and retired Providence Asst. Fire Chief William Giannini since mid-February to find a replacement for Andrew J. Baynes, who resigned in January.

Baynes had earned a salary of $88,000 as fire chief prior to his resignation; the town advertised the position for $75,000, Jeffrey said.

Update: This article was corrected to include retired Chief Giannini's participation on the selection committee, after Mr. Jeffrey notified JohnstonPatch of the omission. Mayor Polisena had previously listed the members of the committee, except for Chief Giannini.