Grafton Fire Chief announces early retirement as town revamps fire department

Fire Chief Micky Gauthier submitted his early retirement Monday night as town officials continue to debate the Fire Department’s transition from a part-time chief to a full-time chief.

Gauthier’s resignation takes effect on August 1, Town Administrator Tim McInerney told the Select Board Tuesday night.

The unexpected opening comes as the town starts advertising for Gauthier’s successor, who will be the town’s first full-time fire chief, responsible for starting a revamp of Grafton’s on-call fire department.  On the recommendation of the Fire Study Committee, the town will be adding the new chief plus two full-time deputies, responsible for training, recruitment, and fire inspections — positions funded by the recently passed $4 million override.

The posted job description has a salary of $110,000 to $130,000.

Gauthier, 63, was supposed to be a big part of that transition. With more than 47 years as a Grafton firefighter, 18 as chief, he knows every on-call firefighter, every inch of Grafton’s 125 miles of roads, the workarounds for areas without hydrants, and every fire chief within the mutual aid region. He wasn’t required to retire until his 65th birthday.

In his resignation letter, he cited “mixed feelings” but no indication of why he bumped up his retirement.

Dear Tim,

It is with truly mixed feelings that I announce my retirement from the Grafton Fire Department, effective July 31, 2020.

I have spent 47.5 years in the Fire Department, the last 18 years as Fire Chief here and am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with so many talented people. It has certainly been an amazing ride throughout these years.

Please acknowledge receipt of this letter on behalf of the town of Grafton.

Sincerely,

Chief Michael E. Gauthier

Gauthier’s retirement was not mentioned at all during the Select Board meeting until more than an hour in — after the board appointed two new members to the Affordable Housing Trust, discussed Zoom meeting protocols, and heard McInerney’s report. Select Board member Ed Prisby had to ask McInerney specifically about Gauthier before it was acknowledged he would be retiring at the end of the month.

McInerney said he spoke to Deputy Chief Michael Mills, the only remaining deputy after other recent retirements, about managing the department after Gauthier’s exit.

“I don’t see this transition being handled very well,” Select Board member Mathew Often said, adding that he’s concerned about morale. “I am concerned not only about Mickey, I’m concerned about the department, as a brotherhood.”

“How are we going to transition to a new chief? How does the hierarchy go?” he added. I don’t think we know that, and I don’t think Mickey knows that.”

The Select Board asked McInerney to take down advertisements for the fire chief position, arguing that the town should have a “strong chief,” responsible for hiring and firing within the department. They asked that McInerney send position descriptions to them for review before they are posted.

Chairman Peter Carlson said he would like to have Gauthier come in to discuss his decision and concerns with the Select Board at its next meeting.

“Right now we are three weeks away from not having a fire inspector, from not having a fire chief,” Carlson said.

Prisby, noticeably incredulous in his Zoom rectangle, said that lost in the surprise and the questions about the department’s future was this: a major town employee is retiring.

“I can’t thank him enough, and we need to acknowledge his service as we talk about this transition,” he said.

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