Fire Chief Gerald LaFlamme to step down
By Melissa Muntz Community Reporter

Shrewsbury - After 29 years with the Shrewsbury Fire Department, Fire Chief Gerald LaFlamme will step down at the end of May.

Prior to his budget report before the Finance Committee Feb. 9, LaFlamme announced his retirement, saying it's time to pass the department over to a younger, more energetic leader.

"The station project has been completed, my strategic plan has been completed and it's time for me to go," he said. "I've had a good run and I've been thrilled with the cooperation and indulgence from all the boards in town, and I look forward to my wife and I enjoying my retirement."

Eight years ago, LaFlamme set out to complete the fire station building and renovation project, replace the ladder truck, purchase additional rolling equipment, and update the department's small equipment.

The only goal he was not able to attain was increasing staff and implementing a deputy chief position.

"I've had the opportunity to spend almost [$]8 million to upgrade the facilities," he said. "The physical plant has been brought up to speed, the equipment has been brought up to speed and now it's time to work on personnel."

LaFlamme will work through May 31. Town Manager Daniel Morgado said he's hoping to hire a new chief by May 1 to allow for a transition time.

Department over budget

In his budget report, LaFlamme said the Fire Department will run over its sick pay budget by $50,000 to $75,000 for fiscal year (FY) 2008.

Due to sickness and other medical issues among staff , the department has had the equivalent of one full-time person out for the entire year.

"We've slugged away at the overtime account and so we've tried to cut down on any extracurricular time or additional training," LaFlamme said. "But I don't expect we'll be able to bring that number down, quite honestly."

For FY 2009, LaFlamme requested funding for additional staff as well as funding to replace Engine #3, which he said is deteriorating quickly.

Morgado told the committee that he doesn't recommend keeping the engine replacement in the budget because he's hoping to secure grant funding to help cover the costs.