Wicked Local
The Select Board voted to offer external candidate David DeStefano the Belmont fire chief position on Jan. 21, contingent upon the negotiation and execution of a contract. DeStefano is currently the shift commander/battalion chief for the North Providence Fire Department.
Three finalists were publicly interviewed on Jan. 21. The other two finalists were internal candidate Acting Chief Wayne Haley and external candidate James Peplau, battalion chief of the Waterbury, Connecticut Fire Department.
Select Board Chairman Roy Epstein, Vice Chairman Tom Caputo and member Adam Dash all agreed they thought all three finalists were exceptional candidates and it was a difficult decision to make.