By Judy Silberstein
Larchmont Gazette
LARCHMONT, N.Y. — When the Village of Larchmont’s volunteer firefighters convened as required under New York State Law on Thursday evening, April 5 they opted to elect one of their own rather than go along with the Village Board’s choice of a paid chief. According to Jim Sweeney, a former chief and the current treasurer, there were two names placed in nomination: Tom Broderick, a volunteer for more than 20 years and a deputy chief for 5, and Lt. Rich Heine, a former volunteer and now one of Larchmont’s career firefighters who Mayor Liz Feld had announced as the board’s choice to become the first paid chief of the Larchmont Fire Department. Tom Broderick won by an overwhelming majority.
Now the slate of nominees, that includes PJ Abrahamson as first deputy chief and Greg Hibbard as second deputy chief, will be forwarded to the Village Board, which has the option to accept or reject the firefighters’ choices.
Until this year, the election process has held few surprises: the volunteers nominated and the board accepted and appointed. The tradition of the department is that a volunteer serves as chief in command over all the firefighters, both volunteer and career staff.
Full Story: Larchmont Firefighters Choose Volunteer Over Paid Chief