Reporter’s Notebook: New fire prevention officer hired with ‘a hearty ya-hoo!’
Micheal Killeen was appointed Grafton’s new fire prevention officer, filling a position that was nearly left vacant back in June.
“This has been a most challenging position to fill over the past year and I think you are most fortunate to have someone of Mr. Killeen’s background, abilities, and temperament so eager to join the team at the Grafton Fire Department,” Temporary Town Administrator Carter Terenzini told the Select Board.
Killeen will not have to travel far to get to his new job. He is now a full-time firefighter, paramedic, and part-time inspector on the Northbridge Fire Department. He will be attending the Fire Instructor I course at the Massachusetts Fire Academy in March.
“There is a lot going on in Grafton and Mike will be working a lot,” Fire Chief Mickey Gauthier said.
Select Board member Mathew Often offered “a hearty ya-hoo” for the hiring.
**********
Also coming soon to the Grafton Municipal Center: Evan Brassard, recently hired as town administrator. Brassard will start on February 22.
The Monson town administrator was chosen last month to fill the vacancy left by former Town Administrator Tim McInerney, who mutually parted with the town back in July and walked away with a year’s salary in severance pay.
Brassard will start at a salary of $160,000.
**********
Town Meeting has been moved to June 5 to align with Grafton High School’s graduation on June 4.
The move allows the town and the school department to share the cost of the events, which require a sound system, chairs and other features to be used on the high school football field.
Spring Town Meeting is normally held in May prior to the Town Election, but the town has until June 30 to settle the Fiscal Year 2022 budget.
Speaking of that budget, it will be presented February 10 to the Select Board and Finance Committee.
