By Gretyl Macalaster
The Union Leader
CANDIA, N.H. — In one swift motion, Rudy Cartier was reinstated as fire chief, and his resignation of the post was accepted by the board of selectmen last night.
Cartier took a leave of absence in October after Rockingham County Attorney Jim Reams released a report calling Cartier’s leadership into question.
Cartier submitted a response to the report to the board of selectmen last month, dealing line by line with the issues laid out in the report.
In a letter to the board, Cartier’s attorney, Richard A. Mitchell of the law firm Sullivan and Gregg, said “having reviewed the allegations contained in the letter and the accompanying investigative report by State Fire Marshal Wyman, it is our opinion that the allegations are baseless.”
Mitchell added that many of the allegations could be refuted by checking the records of the Candia Fire Department.
“There seem to be many instances of what might kindly be called prosecutorial overzealousness,” Mitchell wrote.
Cartier said his main goal has been to clear his name, and feels the board’s action last night shows he is not the “danger to the community” he was made out to be.
He was also amazed by the outpouring of support from members of the community after the report was released.
“If anything positive came out of this, it is you never realize how many friends you have until something like this happens,” Cartier said.
Fred Kelley, chairman of the board of selectmen, said the board had no further comment on their decision to reinstate Cartier.
Cartier will remain on the volunteer fire department as a firefighter and EMS.
Dean Young was officially sworn in as chief of the department last night.
In his resignation letter, Cartier said he does not have the time necessary to serve as fire chief.
“Due to the increased demands of my full-time employment, I find I am unable to devote the 20 plus hours per week the position of volunteer Fire Chief and Forest Fire Warden for the town of Candia requires in order to adequately and professionally meet the requirements incumbent to the position,” Cartier said.
Cartier said he thinks Young will do a good job as chief, with a little bit of help.
“He hasn’t been on a department for awhile and the administrative burden is going to be the most difficult,” Cartier said.
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