Select Board chooses Wendell Robery as next fire chief

Canton Fire Captain Wendell Robery will soon take over as the town’s next fire chief pending contract negotiations after being offered the position at Tuesday night’s Select Board meeting.

Select Board members said it was a tough choice between two excellent finalists in Robery and Lt. Jamie Meier, with Board Chair John Connolly citing experience as one of the deciding factors.

Wendell Robery

Robery is a 34-year CFD veteran, having served the past 27 years combined as a lieutenant and captain, and has another four years before he is required to retire.

He believes the department is in “great shape” and he will work to continue the programs built up by Doody, especially apparatus and equipment. Robery said he intends to set goals for each firefighter-paramedic and, as a leader, wants to inspire them to do things they never thought they could accomplish. He is a big proponent of leading by example and stepping up to do extra work when needed.

Robery will replace longtime Fire Chief Charles Doody, who is leaving the department after 27 years to become the new town administrator effective October 1.

Meier joined the CFD in 2002 and became EMS coordinator in 2010. He has served as firefighter union president and was promoted to lieutenant five years ago. He has also worked with the Canton Alliance Against Substance Abuse and with the Mass. Firefighter Academy on recruitment training.

A search committee initially selected four candidates, all within the CFD, and all were viewed as worthy choices.

The other major news at Tuesday meeting concerned the town’s Mattress Recycling Program as the Select Board accepted Town Administrator Charlie Aspinwall’s recommendation to offer two options for the removal of mattresses and box springs.

The move was necessitated by the state Department of Environmental Protection’s “2030 Solid Waste Master Plan,” which added mattresses and textiles to the list of materials banned from disposal or transport for disposal in the commonwealth. Beginning on November 1, residents will have two fee-based options for the removal of mattresses. One is a drop-off at the Pine Street transfer station, which will cost $40 per unit ($80 for a mattress and box spring). The other option is to arrange curbside pickup with Green Team, which will charge residents $75 per unit. Further details will be posted on the town website or added to upcoming tax or water bills.

Select Board members acknowledged the November 1 date does not give residents a lot of advance notice, and member Lisa Lopez said any resident who is thinking about getting rid of mattresses or box springs should do so before November 1 if they want to avoid the fee. Beginning on that date, Republic Services, the town’s trash/recycling contractor, will no longer accept any mattress removal requests from Canton residents.

In other news from the September 20 meeting …

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Posted by Mike Berger on Sep 23 2022. Filed under News, Police & Fire. Both comments and pings are currently closed.