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JULY 9, 2020
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
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Fourth of July Memories Scrapbook
Fire chief Ken Morton retiring come the fine organization it is.� Morton is one of three long-tenured town leaders stepping down Fire Chief Ken Morton is in his this year, joining Town Manager final few weeks leading the Willis- Rick McGuire and Town Clerk ton Fire Department. Morton plans Deb Beckett. to retire this summer after nearly Morton had originally planned 40 years with the department, 28 to retire at the end of June. He years as chief. stayed on longer to allow the town Morton has worked as a fire- to hire a new town manager to fighter for nearly five decades, replace McGuire. McGuire’s sucstarting as a freshman at Norwich cessor, Erik Wells, will now lead University in 1972. the recruitment process for a new In Williston, he has presided over an expansion and advance- fire chief. As of last month, the town had ment of the department to keep seven applicants for the job. A new pace with the growing community. chief is expected to be hired by the “When I began serving with end of the summer. the fire department, Williston had The Williston Fire Department two traffic lights, 11 farms, zero has grown from an all on-call box stores, zero senior housing force to a current staff of 16 career facilities, zero buildings over two firefighters and 16 on-call memstories tall and responded to 104 bers during Morton’s tenure. The calls,� Morton said in a press redepartment began an emergency lease. “Suffice it to say, much has medical service in 2000, taking changed these past 38 years. “As Williston has grown, the over for the private, non-profit department has changed to meet Iroquois First Response. In 2010, the needs of the community,� he the department added ambulance continued. “As I leave the position transport service, and now proof fire chief, I am proud to report vides paramedicine-level care to that Williston is served by an ex- the community of roughly 10,000 cellent cadre of career and on-call residents. Morton also oversaw the conpaid firefighters and emergency struction of a new fire station, medical technicians, operating completed in 2007, and the modout of a great facility with up-to ernization of the department’s vedate equipment. I thank the town hicle fleet, including the addition administration and the taxpayers CSWD ScrapFoodWaste-10-25x3-H-snap.pdf 1 6/17/20 3:07 PM of two ambulances. for allowing the department to be-
Break out the bubbly
Observer staff report
Observer photo by Al Frey
A young lady breaks out the bubbles at the 2019 festivities.
Observer photo by David Schmidt
Flag face
Fire Chief Ken Morton waves to the crowd at the 2014 Williston Fourth of July parade. He is retiring after nearly 40 years with the fire department.
The department now responds to over 2,000 emergency calls each year, up from just over 100 when Morton joined as an on-call firefighter. “It has been a pleasure working with Chief Morton,� McGuire said. “He has been a strong force in advocating for his department so that the fire department is in position to provide quality service to the Williston community. Chief Morton is well respected throughout the fire and EMT service community in Vermont and beyond. He lives and breathes all things related to fire service, and
his private collection of fire trucks is testament to that fact.â€?   The retiring chief has also made an impact on his colleagues throughout the state. “Chief Morton has been a leader in Vermont fire service, serving as a mentor to many and a friend to all,â€? said Steve Locke, fire chief for the City of Burlington. “He leaves a void that will be tough to fill and a legacy that is tough to follow. His many accomplishments transforming the Williston Fire Department have been remarkable to watch, and I wish him the best of luck in his retirement.â€?Â
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Observer photo by David Schmidt
In 2012, this patriotic parade goer showed his enthusiasm for the American flag.
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