LEYDEN — Starting July 1, the Leyden Fire Department has a new chief in Matt Muka, who has been with the department for 12 years.
Muka, 29, who lives in Leyden, will replace Clifford Spatcher, who the Selectboard chose not to reappoint as chief.
“The Selectboard, at its meeting on May 18, met with Clifford Spatcher and advised him that the Selectboard wanted the Fire Department to embark in a new direction, and he would not be reappointed July 1 for the new year,” Selectman Jeffrey Neipp wrote in a statement from the board.
For months, the Selectboard and the Fire Department, as well as the Leyden Firefighters Association Inc., the nonprofit that raises money for the department and is made up primarily of town firefighters, have been at odds over a perceived lack of communication. In particular, the association’s purchase of a 1983 diesel engine, without permission from the Selectboard, has served as a point of contention.
“There’s just no communication,” Selectman William Glabach said during a January meeting. “I think it’s becoming a serious problem now.”
“It seems like the association is running the Fire Department, and I don’t know where the chief is,” Neipp said to Spatcher during the January meeting, adding that “a little better communication could improve the fire services.”
According to the Selectboard’s statement, Spatcher turned in his gear on June 13, after learning he would not be reappointed. Spatcher said he was chief for the three years following the resignation of former chief Lester Cote, and served on the department since 2004.
Muka said he joined the department in 2005 as a junior firefighter, leaving between 2009 and 2014 to serve in the Navy. The Selectboard appointed Muka, who has been assistant chief for the past year, to the position of chief on June 22.
Neipp said Muka seemed like the best fit due to his service as assistant chief, and for his experience in emergency medical services.
“I think it’s going to be good for the town,” Neipp said about appointing Muka chief.
“I’m excited to be taking over,” Muka said. “It is unexpected, but I’m looking forward to helping the Selectboard meet (its) goal of kind of changing the direction the Fire Department was going in.”
In particular, Muka wants to create “a more open and effective line of communication between the Selectboard and Fire Department” while working on firefighters’ training and “increasing readiness and ability to provide fire services to Leyden.”
Muka was appointed chief for a six-month probationary period, according to the Selectboard’s statement. After that time, Neipp explained, the Selectboard will review Muka’s performance and consider a permanent appointment.
Reach Shelby Ashline at: sashline@recorder.com
413-772-0261, ext. 257