WENDELL — The Selectboard on Wednesday evening discussed options for budgeting a consultant to help select a replacement for Fire Chief Joe Cuneo, who is expected to retire in the fall of 2023.
Chair Laurie DiDonato mentioned it seems unlikely to get a grant from Municipal Resources Inc., a consulting firm in New Hampshire. Selectboard member Dan Keller said it would be a good idea to contact the Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management, which he said has been “really instrumental in helping get other grants.” DiDonato said she has already reached out to that entity and expects to hear back soon.
Keller mentioned there is money in the Selectboard budget to get this process started. Financial Coordinator Douglas Tanner, who is also chair of the Finance Committee, said the town could likely also use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money to hire a consultant. He asked DiDonato how the Fire Chief Succession Committee wants to proceed and DiDonato said all members support bringing in a consultant.
DiDonato mentioned the town might partner with neighboring New Salem, where Cuneo also serves as fire chief, for the replacement search process.
Cuneo declined to comment on the matter when reached by phone Thursday. He has been chief in New Salem since 2008 and in Wendell since 2014.
“Chief Cuneo is doing an excellent job as Wendell fire chief and is highly respected and appreciated for his work,” DiDonato wrote in an email.
The Selectboard also discussed returning to in-person meetings, having switched to remote sessions at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Keller mentioned he is comfortable with returning to in-person meetings but is content staying remote if that is what other members or Town Coordinator Glenn Johnson-Mussad prefer.
DiDonato said the July 20 meeting will be held remotely, and that the topic can be revisited then. That meeting, like the one on July 6, is slated to begin at 7 p.m.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.