New Fire Chief Announcement on Horizon, DPW Director Search Underway

Town Administrator David Colton said Tuesday that Easton residents will know who their new Fire Chief is very soon and the search for a new DPW Director is well underway.

Colton said the search for a new fire chief is "getting closer" and the hope is that a new chief will be announced this week.

Easton began looking when Fire Chief Thomas Stone after 33 years in the department and nine years as the fire chief. Stone's last day is Jan. 27.

Currently, finalists for the post are:

• Waterbury Conn. Battalion Chief James Peplau

• Whitman Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Feeney

• Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Response for the Department of Fire Services in Massachusetts Kevin Partridge

• Fire Academy Deputy Director Mark Pare

In addition to Stone's retirement, DPW Director Wayne Southworth after 42 years of service. Southworth finished his tenure with the DPW last Thursday.

Colton said that the search process for a new DPW Director is well underway, and currently there are 10 candidates remaining from "dozens of applications." The finalists for a new DPW Director will likely be announced sometime in the next 2-3 weeks, he said.

Patch will keep you updated the searches, including a look back at both of the outgoing directors' careers and a look at the people who will replace them.