SOUTHBOROUGH – On June 1, the town officially welcomed its newest fire chief.
In a brief ceremony at the Southborough Senior Center, Town Clerk James Hegarty administered the oath of office to Andrew Puntini.
“I’m anxious to lead this team of professionals,” said Puntini.
Select Board Chair Kathryn Cook recalled the process to replace former Chief Steven Achilles, who retired in early February to take a job in Florida.
“Andrew was the No. 1 candidate,” she said. “He is a thoughtful, straightforward person.”
Puntini, a fourth-generation Ashland resident, began his career in that town as an on-call firefighter. He joined Foxborough Fire & Rescue in 2006 as a firefighter and paramedic; he served there for 18 years.
Along the way, Puntini was promoted to lieutenant in 2015 and to captain/shift commander in 2019.
In 2005, he earned his paramedic certification from Massachusetts Bay Community College. He also earned a master’s degree in public administration from Anna Maria College, and is certified as a Massachusetts Firefighting Academy chief fire officer.
“We’re all very proud of this moment,” said Select Board member Andrew Dennington. “I’m impressed with his knowledge and expertise.”
He said the factor that decided his vote – Puntini “coming over the line” from Ashland to have breakfast at Mauro’s Village Café.
Puntini was pinned with the chief’s badge by his wife, Rebecca.
Fire and police officials from several communities, including Ashland, Foxborough and Westborough, attended the ceremony.
Puntini is Southborough’s 10th fire chief. He will lead a team of 27 men and women, both full time and on call.
For information about the department, visit https://www.southboroughma.gov/311/Fire-Department.
