DALTON, Mass. — The Fire District's endeavor to keep interim Fire Chief Christopher Cachat on has ended — though it's not clear if that's permanent. 

 

In a Facebook post Thursday morning, the district announced that during an executive session on Tuesday, the Board of Water Commissioners met with and accepted the retirements of Cachat, Assistant Chief Michael Cachat, Safety Officer Barry Smith, and Safety Officer Steven Perry.

 

The decision comes following grumbling over the district's efforts to obtain state approval to keep Cachat on as a permanent chief position, a requirement given the state's mandatory retirement age for firefighters is 65. 

 

If approved, Cachat, who is currently 68, would serve as chief for about a year and a half, at which time the board will need to hire a new chief. 

 

Capt. Ryan Foley was promoted to interim chief and will be working in this position in a full-time capacity.

 

"The Commissioners, the Fire District, and the Fire Department want to express their deepest gratitude and appreciation for the decades of service from these four outstanding firemen," the district wrote in its post. 

 

"With over 100 years of service among them, their guidance and experience will be greatly missed, and we thank each of them for answering the call for so many years."