Norm Skantze takes the reins at Wilton Fire Department

Wilton has a new fire chief.

Norm Skantze of Swanzey, a veteran of four decades in emergency services, has accepted the position, which was announced at Monday’s Select Board meeting. 

Following Chief Don Nourse’s announcement of his plans to retire this month, the town’s search included the consideration of candidates “from across the nation,” according to a statement. In addition to having served as the chief coordinator of the Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid Association, Skantze has also been the chairman of the NH Board of Fire Control and served as fire chief and held emergency management positions in Bristol and Wolfeboro. He is currently the on-call deputy fire chief in Swanzey.

In addition to holding degrees in management-public administration and safety from Keene State, Skantze is a nationally registered advanced emergency medical technician.

In other news, Town Administrator Nick Germain announced that Wilton received a $45,000 grant from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. The sum is “supplemental funding for consultant assistance for stormwater management planning,” said Germain.

The board also noted that Cary Hughes was named Citizen of the Year in Wilton, and not for the first time. A long-serving town official, Hughes continues to serve on the Budget Committee and was a teacher for many years at the High Mowing School in Wilton.