Exeter’s Jeff Musser, who has more than 20 years of experience with the Exeter station and serves as district chief for Exeter, was recently appointed acting fire chief of the South Huron department in light of former chief Andrew Baird’s departure for Leamington to serve as that community’s fire chief.
As previously reported, Baird’s last day with the South Huron department was Aug. 22.
The South Huron Fire Department consists of stations in Exeter, Huron Park and Dashwood.
The matter arose at council’s Aug. 13 meeting when chief administrative officer Dan Best reported that, with a municipal election coming up on Oct. 22, the council is in a “lame duck” position, and Baird’s resignation means “logistic challenges” for the municipality. In his report Best said during a lame duck period “council shall not take on the following actions: the appointment or removal from office any officer of the municipality; the hiring or dismissal of any employee of the municipality.” He suggested council move forward and appoint an acting chief on a short-term basis.
His report further stated that the new council after the election can appoint a new fire chief through a bylaw and “can assist in the strategic direction of the organization and in particular the fire service.”
Best also spoke of a planned service review and the eventual possibility of “shared services.” He said there are operational decisions that the next term of council will have to deal with.
Link to original article in Exeter Lakeshore Times-Advance: Musser named acting fire chief