CHESTER — For the past two years, Rich Antoine's title has been a bit bulky.
But with a vote by the Board of Selectmen last week, Chester's "Firefighter/EMT Stipend Chief" will now be recognized simply by his new title of "Fire Chief."
"The change is strictly clerical and doesn't affect the job. I'll be doing the same job I've been doing for two years," said Antoine.
The change will also have no impact on Antoine's pay.
The title alteration was originally part of a warrant article to be voted on at Annual Town Meeting on May 14. Selectmen motioned to change the title themselves at their May 9 board meeting after deciding it was appropriate and did not affect tax dollars.
Instead, the warrant article was tabled at Town Meeting because the decision was made.
"Everybody has been very supportive of it and feels it's about time it got straightened out," said Antoine.
Those in attendance at the May 8 meeting and selectmen congratulated Antoine on a job well done and hope that residents will do the same at Town Meeting.
"You are doing a great job. You are the fire chief and we will bring it to attention at Town Meeting," said Selectman Stephen Landau. "You deserve it, congratulations."
