The Martha s Vineyard Times
O.B. hires Nelson Wirtz as new fire chief
The Oak Bluffs select board chose Nelson Wirtz of Brewster as the town’s next fire chief.
The Oak Bluffs select board chose W.F. Nelson Wirtz as the town’s next fire chief at a meeting Tuesday.
A career firefighter for the past 25 years, Wirtz is currently a captain with the Chatham Fire Department. Wirtz said his familiarity with Martha’s Vineyard, working in a seasonal community, and his education and training make him a great fit for the town. He added that his temperament and personality are well suited for Oak Bluffs.
The Martha s Vineyard Times
O.B. narrows fire chief search
Oak Bluffs has narrowed its search for a new fire chief to three candidates.
The finalists are Andrew M. Went of Lincoln, RI, William R. Choate of Lakeville, and W.F. Nelson Wirtz, of Brewster.
“All candidates meet the qualifications and experience for the position of fire chief. Thorough background and reference checking was conducted, in which all three candidates returned excellent references,” interim town administrator Wendy Brough wrote in an email to The Times.
The town has been searching for a new fire chief since the departure of former Fire Chief John Rose who resigned under pressure following the town’s $97,500 settlement with Cynthia Hatt, a former fire department employee who accused Rose of making sexual advances and then retaliating against her when she rejected them.