Veteran Hudson MA Fire Official Appointed Interim Chief Firefighter

HUDSON – Veteran fire official Richard Harris will lead the town's Fire Department for the next few months while Hudson leaders search for a permanent chief.

Selectmen on Monday signed off on the interim appointment, saying Harris is very qualified. Harris will replace retiring Fire Chief Stephen Geldart on Jan. 7. Geldart took over the department in early April, but will reach the mandatory retirement age of 65 early next year.

Harris worked his way up the ranks in North Reading during his more than three-decade career. He served as chief for three years, acting deputy fire chief for two years, shift captain for eight years and was a firefighter before that.

Harris has had interim fire chief stints in Northborough, Topsfield and Mendon following his retirement from the North Reading department. He earned a master's degree in fire science and administration from Anna Maria College and is an adjunct professor at Bunker Hill Community College and Anna Maria College.

"Mr. Harris, you have an extremely professional resume," selectmen Chairman John Parent told Harris at Monday's meeting. "We really appreciate the opportunity to work with you."

Harris told board members he is excited and grateful to work in town.

In a statement, the Hudson Firefighters Union said they heard great things about Harris, but feel the selection of an interim chief is delaying the inevitable hiring of a much-needed permanent chief. The union said the department has been surviving because of the leadership efforts of its officers and senior firefighters during the ongoing leadership crisis.

"Again, our members have heard great things about Chief Harris and our concerns are not directed at him personally," the statement reads. "His reputation as a firefighters chief and someone who has an extreme amount of fire service experience will be welcomed optimistically."

A search for a new permanent chief was conducted last summer. However, Executive Assistant Thomas Moses decided that none of the 19 candidates – including four Hudson firefighters – who applied for the job had distinguished themselves.

The union expressed concerns that the interim chief will not be around to implement much-needed changes, such as increasing staff and securing new gear. Union leaders said this fall, and reiterated again, the department has qualified internal candidates for the permanent chief's job.

"Some of these qualified internal candidates have served the Hudson community for 30-plus years. Hiring from within would boost depleted morale and would give younger firefighters/officers something to strive for in the future," a statement reads.

Moses believes Harris will be able to help some of the internal candidates be more prepared to become chief, and will rely on Harris to provide feedback to help him determine the appropriate search process for a permanent chief.

The department's leadership has been in flux for the past few months. In March, longtime Fire Chief John Blood was placed on administrative leave and later retired. A Channel 5 Investigates report last month found $60,000 missing from the Hudson Firefighters Relief Association Fund and firefighters suspect that Blood – who had been treasurer of the fund since 1998 – is the culprit.

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