Chief McCarren Woolwich's new fire chief, Geoffrey McCarren, center, stands by the newest member of the fleet, Engine #3, along with Shawn Riley, Captain, and William Longley, Jr., firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician for the town. (Photo Charlotte Boynton)

The Woolwich selectmen selected Geoffrey McCarren as the town's new Fire Chief at a special meeting, Wednesday, March 12.

The new chief assumed his duties immediately. He replaces interim Fire Chief Jake Kaiser, who had been filling the position since the resignation of former Fire Chief Kenneth Desmond last December.

McCarren, 36, the owner of Quonset Hardscapes located off Route 1 in Woolwich, has been a member of the Woolwich Department since 1991.

McCarren is very enthusiastic about his new job. One of his first goals is to recruit new members. He would like to increase the volunteer department from 15 to 40 members.

The new chief is a resident of Woolwich along with his wife, Gina, and three-month-old son

The position of fire chief is now a part-time position and is currently budgeted at $6,000 annually.

Desmond was a full-time fire chief, code enforcement officer/ building inspector, and emergency management director with an annual salary of $38,000. The voters approved separating the positions at a special town meeting in December.

William Longley, Jr. a volunteer fire fighter and first responder, is currently serving as the town's code enforcement officer.