Named Fire Chief

Following a year marked by critical staff shortage and leadership changes in the Aquinnah fire department, the town selectmen appointed Simon Bollin as their new fire chief this week.

“Welcome aboard as chief,” said board chairman Jim Newman. “In the time you’ve been acting chief you’ve done a great job in bringing the department almost up to speed. It’s really appreciated and the entire town appreciates it.”

The vote was unanimous to name Mr. Bollin the chief. Mr. Bollin stepped in as acting deputy chief at the end of last year when Jim Vercruysse resigned. Mr. Vercryusse had succeeded longtime fire chief Walter Delaney.

Mr. Bollin said his first order of business will be to create a response plan in the event of an emergency at the Cliffs, and he said the department will hold drills in the coming weeks. He also noted that a sign in the Aquinnah Circle, installed by a local artist as part of a temporary public art project, is in the middle of an emergency helicopter landing zone for Chilmark and Aquinnah. The sign is scheduled to come down May 7.