Windham's first new fire chief in decades is sworn in - By Michelle Libby

Monday morning, new Fire Chief Brent Libby was sworn in at the Windham Town Hall. 
 

“It’s a fresh start. We’re moving forward, it’s out first new chief in 30 years,” said Captain Ken Thorpe. “There are guys who have only known one chief.” 

The firefighters in attendance agree that it’s a good opportunity for the department and for the town.

Town manager Tony Plante told the small audience that it’s been a long time more than just a decade since swearing in a new chief. “Take a moment to think about the department and a new chapter,” said Plante, who also thanked the search committee. 

Town clerk Linda Morrell swore in Libby, officially making him Windham’s chief. 

“I’m ready to get going,” he said. “It’s a good adventure.” He plans to do a lot of listening at first. “There’s a lot of tradition and history,” he added. “People are looking forward to some change.”

With the town’s growth over the last three decades, one of the department’s challenges is to keep up, giving top level service all the time when someone calls, said Libby. He knows he has big shoes to fill, those of Charlie Hammond, who just retired, but he’s looking forward to it, he said.