After nearly five decades with the department, New Ipswich has appointed Gary Somero as fire chief in the wake of Meredith Lund’s retirement.
In addition to serving as a deputy chief, Somero has been fulfilling the role of town building inspector, as well as being a part of New Ipswich EMT leadership. He also has been overseeing the town’s school maintenance programs.
Selectmen Chair Shawn Talbot served as the master of ceremonies for the promotion ceremony Tuesday. Alongside Somero, Benjamin Hatcher and Cody Vaillancourt were promoted to deputy chief, and Gordon Wayrynen was promoted to the position of lieutenant.
“He’s been an influential member of the community, building and maintaining relationships with local businesses, and community members,” Talbot said of Somero. “He has held various positions within the department, including firefighter and deputy chief, and has always put the safety and well-being of our residents first. Chief Somero, we are grateful for your service to our community and we congratulate you on your well-deserved promotion.”
With a long history at the New Ipswich Fire Department, Somero sees this new role as that of a “facilitator,” and expressed a desire to develop the young leaders of the department.
“I have a great younger staff and I want to bring that staff along into leadership positions,” said Somero. “I do have some veterans coming back, which would be a great asset, but my goal I feel is to bring the young people to take over leadership at some time in the future. I’m just a facilitator; they’re the members. They make me look good.”
Lund was the first woman firefighter at the department and subsequently its first woman chief, a position she held for almost a decade. She was the final elected fire chief and the first appointed one, and was instrumental in the legislation that made the position an appointed one. Prior to this switch, there were no requirements for candidates to run for the office, but fire chiefs are now appointed by those with knowledge in the field.
Somero said serving as Lund’s successor left “big shoes to fill.”
“She’s been here for 30 years, but I can say I was happy to be behind her as the deputy chief role,” said Somero.
Lund recognized that Somero’s approach to the role will be different than her own, and that changes to the department are inevitable.
“He’s got to obviously make some changes,” said Lund “I told him I would stay away and not bother him for a while. His personality and my personality are totally different. He’s very laid back, I am not, so he’ll have a different leadership style. My leaving the department is not going to have any impact as far as services to the town.”
Lund worked with Somero for the entirety of her 30-year career with the New Ipswich Fire Department. Despite their differing demeanors, Lund is optimistic for the future of the department under new leadership.
“The guys are all very capable,” said Lund. “They’re going to make a very smooth transition. Gary’s going to do a great job.”