Following Ron Goodspeed’s Sept. 14 swearing in as the new Brimfield fire chief, the township anticipates that administrative changes will help the department’s financial situation.
Prior to Goodspeed stepping into the position, former Fire Chief Craig Mullaly approached the trustee board at the beginning of August about resigning and becoming a lieutenant, citing personal and professional reasons for his decision, said Brimfield Trustee Kevin Scott.
When Goodspeed was selected as the next chief, the township chose to eliminate the assistant fire chief position, the position he held prior to his promotion. This command restructuring will save the township about $100,000, the estimated salary for the position, according to Scott.
Having spoken to Goodspeed about the new command structure, he said the lieutenants will be assuming some of the responsibilities of the assistant fire chief.
In the event Goodspeed steps down from his position, an interim chief would be appointed in place of the assistant assuming the title.
Scott doesn’t anticipate the position being reinstated for years; however, “there would always be that option to bring it back, but the trustees have that option.”
In a previous Portager article, Scott referenced mismanagement as the root of the department’s financial issues and its $400,000 deficit.
With these changes, he thinks the department is heading in the right direction to remedy its money situation and have fiscal accountability.
“Because Ron’s got a different personality, I think that will carry through the department,” Scott said.