Welcome, Eric Mathieu, Grafton’s first full-time fire chief!

Eric Mathieu rose up from the ranks of the Grafton Fire Department to become its very first full-time fire chief Thursday night, surrounded by his firefighter brethren as his wife pinned his new rank to his uniform.

It’s been 28 years since Mathieu joined the department as an on-call firefighter, dropping everything to respond to countless emergencies. The former deputy chief also served full-time as a fire lieutenant in Acton, but it was back in Grafton where his heart lay.

Mathieu will not only be the first Grafton fire chief who doesn’t have to work another job, but he is also is its first “strong” chief, with the ability to hire, fire, and make other decisions without consulting town officials.

He succeeds Micky Gauthier, who retired in December 2021 after 49 years, about 20 as chief.

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