In a unanimous vote with one abstention, the selectmen last week chose Richard Sicard as the town’s new fire chief, ending a search process that has been under way since the end of 2010.
Sicard is currently one of three lieutenants in the 30-person Fire Department in Ashburnham, where he is also president of the town’s Firefighters Association. In his interview before the selectmen earlier this month, Sicard said he had been a firefighter for 22 years, was a believer in training and development, and big on community involvement. He would “lead by example,” he said.
Sicard was one of three finalists who were recommended to the selectmen by a search committee headed by Tim Bragan. He was also the candidate endorsed by the Harvard Firefighters Association, whose members also had an opportunity to interview Sicard. In his statement to the selectmen, Harvard Lieutenant Charles Nigzus, who is also secretary of the Harvard Firefighters Association, said that while members of the department were disappointed that no member of their crew had made the list of finalists, they were encouraged by the commitment Sicard had made to their training and development and creation of a succession plan to better prepare local firefighters for promotion when opportunities arise in the future.
In their individual comments on each candidate before the vote, the selectmen praised Sicard for his “energy and enthusiasm.”
“He comes from a small town like Harvard,” observed Clark, and demonstrated an ability to find “innovative ways” to raise funds and accomplish his objectives.
“He personally has walked the talk of personal and organizational growth,” said Selectman Bill Johnson, summing up his assessment.
Selectman Peter Warren, a former chief of the Harvard Fire Department, did not participate in discussion of the three finalists and he abstained from the final vote as well.
