GLENN DAVIS
Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Hard work pays off.
The Select Board unanimously voted to extend Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director Glenn Davis’ contract during a Feb. 28 meeting. Town Administrator Rob Dolan said the contract extension is a four-year pact.
“I don’t want to expose Chief Davis’ age, but the mandatory retirement age for Massachusetts fire chiefs is 65,” said Dolan. “He is looking for a four-year contract. My hope is we could seek a Home Rule petition from the State Legislature to keep him around longer. I hope he will consider that.”
Dolan said he and Davis reviewed fire chief salaries from area communities which have 15,000 residents or fewer.
“It was identified that Chief Davis is in the lower salary end compared to his peers,” said Dolan. “Although Chief Davis has been fire chief for the past three years, he has worked for the town of Lynnfield for 30 years. He also served as deputy chief.”
After reviewing area fire chiefs’ salaries, Dolan said Davis will be earning a $160,760 salary. He said the contract represents a 2 percent raise.
“That will bring Chief Davis in the dead center of area chiefs who have less experience,” said Dolan. “I think it’s a responsible contract in reflection with what we are negotiating with other unions and department heads.”
Dolan said Davis’ emergency management director stipend will now represent 6 percent of his salary. He said the stipend will be increasing from $7,500 to $8,760.
Additionally, Dolan said Davis’ contract extension will be giving the fire chief an EMT certification stipend.
“That is a stipend that firefighters get, which takes effort and time,” said Dolan. “The medical end of the Fire Department is the predominant responsibility of the department. While fires are happening less and less these days, ambulances are being used at historic levels. We have agreed to a new stipend to reflect that, which is consistent with other chiefs in the area.”
Select Board Chairman Dick Dalton expressed his support for Davis’ contract extension.
“I can’t say enough about what Chief Davis has done, especially during the pandemic over the last two years,” said Dalton. “He has done more to keep this community safe than anyone else. He has done a remarkable job, and has gone above and beyond his job description. He has the respect of all of the department heads, including the school superintendent. He has been able to work well with everybody. As a community, we are very fortunate to have him in his position.”
Select Board member Phil Crawford agreed.
“I have known Chief Davis for 35 years,” said Crawford. “He has been a tremendous asset to this town. He is a hero. I think the proposed contract is the right thing to do.”
Select Board member Joe Connell concurred with Dalton and Crawford’s viewpoints.
“No matter what we have asked Chief Davis to do, he has done it,” said Connell. “The amount of hours he puts in on a daily basis is extraordinary. His leadership as emergency management director has been remarkable. He is an incredible employee who is respected by everyone.”
After the discussion, the Select Board unanimously approved Davis’ contract extension.
Davis thanked the Select Board for extending his contract in a text message sent to the Villager.
“I want to thank the Select Board and Town Administrator Rob Dolan for supporting me and entrusting me to continue leading an amazing group of firefighters,” said Davis. “We have built a solid Emergency Management Team that includes town department heads. I am humbled by the faith that the Select Board has in me.”