New Canaan Appoints New Interim Fire Chief

NEW CANAAN, CT — The Board of Selectmen recently appointed Albert Bassett as interim chief of the New Canaan Fire Department.

Bassett, who was hired as the department's assistant fire chief in August, received the board's unanimous approval to step up to the position during a Nov. 1 board meeting.

Fire Commission Chairman Jack Horner noted Bassett will replace the department's previous chief, Jack Hennessey, whose retirement was effective Nov. 1.

The commission unanimously appointed Bassett as interim chief, pending the board's approval, during a special meeting held Oct. 29.

"I think it's a terrific thing for our community to have you step up and become our new fire chief,"Selectman Nick Williams said during the meeting.

Williams also spoke highly of Hennessey, whom he previously worked with in the town's Emergency Operations Center, in light of his official retirement.

"Jack Hennessey and I...we worked together in the EOC for years," Williams said, "through storms, ice storms, blizzards, all sorts of hurricanes and such. Jack was terrific, but I think you can fill his shoes admirably, so welcome aboard."

Selectman Kathleen Corbet said she was "just grateful" Bassett was willing to take the position.

First Selectman Kevin Moynihan also welcomed Bassett and jokingly noted he was "almost a New Canaan resident," living just over the Norwalk line in the city's Silvermine area.

"Everybody's very pleased to have Albie joining us and we look forward to having you as our interim [chief]," Moynihan said, "and perhaps soon our chief."