HOPKINTON — Selectmen have decided to give the fire department more time to recover from the sudden loss of its chief before launching a search for a new chief.

Earlier this month, Chief Richard “Rick” Schaefer suffered fatal cardiac arrest while on duty at the Contoocook Fire Station. Schaefer was a member of the department for 32 years, and worked his way up the ranks. He was hired as the town’s first full-time fire chief, a position he fought to establish for the volunteer department.

In the wake of Schaefer’s death, the board promoted Deputy Chief Jeff Yale, a part-time officer, to fill the chief’s role on an interim basis. On Monday, selectmen discussed starting a search for a full-time chief.

Selectman George Langwasser started the conversation by saying perhaps it’s best to hold off for a while.

“The department has had a tragedy. They’ve lost their chief,” he said. “Let’s leave things to settle down a bit and let them go about their business.”

Langwasser suggested revisiting the issue in January or February, after the town’s budget process has largely been wrapped up, by calling in members of the department and former fire chiefs to determine the best course for filling the position.

Though the board has the final say on who gets hired, Langwasser said he’s sensitive to the department’s needs.

“It’s a very close group down there. They’re like a family. The last thing I want to do is hire a retired captain from Worcester, Mass., who wants to retire up here and throw him in there,” Langwasser said. “He won’t fit in up here.”

Selectman Bryan Pellerin and Chairman Jim O’Brien said they felt waiting until January was too long.

“I feel like we’re in good hands with the interim chief,” said Pellerin, but he suggested moving up the preliminary discussions to early December.

O’Brien agreed, pointing out that Yale was doing a full-time job as a part-time officer.

“I’m not feeling a sense of urgency, but it is a lot we’re asking of Jeff,” he said.

“I don’t want to stretch it out too long and put a burden on him.”

The board would ultimately like to hire a new chief in the spring.

- - - - - - - -

Nancy Bean Foster may be reached at nfoster@newstote.com.