By Jonah Frangiosa
The Eagle-Tribune
HAVERHILL, Mass. — The chiefs agreed: if an applicant can pass a physical fitness test, background check, and all other evaluations, then age alone — especially for someone in their early 30s — shouldn’t be a deal-breaker.
City councilors on Tuesday unanimously approved an order to increase the maximum civil service age for firefighters and police officers in Haverhill. The change, proposed by Mayor Melinda Barrett, bumps up the cap from 32 to 40. The legislation now heads to the state for approval.
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The question has landed on councilor’s agendas often in recent months. Haverhill residents who seek civil service positions despite being over the limit have often appeared in City Hall with home-rule age-waiver petitions. These waivers allow candidates to take the civil service exam and other requirements, bypassing the age restriction.
Typically, councilors waive the waiver after reviewing the applicant’s resume — often at the same meeting. Councilor Shaun Toohey introduced Anthony Morales to his constituents. Morales had submitted such a waiver to apply for a position with the Haverhill Police Department.
With his qualifications speaking louder than his birth year, the councilors waved him on through. “We’ve had a lot of those like you in the last few years,” Barrett said.
The mayor pointed out that, with a dwindling list of eligible candidates, the old rule forced department heads to overlook strong candidates simply because of their age. She emphasized that all applicants must still meet the standard requirements for either department.
“It doesn’t help fill the slots we need to have filled,” she added. “I don’t think age should be the determinant.”
Both police and fire chiefs were present and shared their support for raising the age limit in order to expand the hiring pool.
Police Chief Robert Pistone said when he first joined the force, the age cap was more appropriate at the time when candidate lists were far longer. Many of those potential recruits still possess maturity, experience, physical and mental aptitude, or military backgrounds, he said.
“We used to have 400 odd candidates on a list, now we may have 40,” Pistone said.
He added, “The pendulum has swung, you know. We’re seeing a greater interest [now], but nothing like before.”
Fire Chief Robert O’Brien echoed Pistone, claiming his department also struggles with staffing issues. But the change only means these applicants are eligible to test for — not guaranteed to become — a firefighter, he said.
“This age change simply allows a person to take a test,” O’Brien said. “They still have to score well. They still have to interview well.”
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