Second time’s the charm? Grafton fire chief finalists will interview Wednesday

Seven months after their top pick for Grafton’s first full-time fire chief rejected the offer, the Select Board will meet next week to try again.

Fire chief interviews are set for Wednesday, May 4 at 6 p.m. As with the last round, the finalists presented to the Select Board by the Fire Chief Search Committee will be interviewed during a public session, with the board likely voting for their top choice after.

Grafton Fire Chief Micky Gauthier retired in December after 49 years of service and town officials had hoped to have his replacement in already in place. It didn’t happen.

Back in October, the Select Board interviewed three men for fire chief, making the offer to Michael Thurz, the Glastonbury, Connecticut chief. Thurz declined the next day. 

Rather than choose from the remaining candidates, the Select Board opted to hit re-start on the search, appointing DPW Director and Fire Captain Paul Cournoyer as interim chief. His contract is set to sunset on June 30.

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