Joseph Guarnera might be fairly new to town, but he brings nearly 30 years of work as a firefighter and another 16 as a police officer to his new role as Merrimack’s fire chief.

Previously a fire chief in Athol, Mass., Guarnera joined the Merrimack Fire Department last year as assistant chief and on Sept. 11, Town Council Chairman Finlay Rothhaus swore him in as chief after councilors unanimously approved his promotion.

Guarnera, 63, was on the cusp of retirement when he saw an advertisement for assistant chief of operations in Merrimack. He had heard good things about the Merrimack Fire Department and knew Chief Mark DiFronzo and Assistant Chief Richard Harris.

“I thought, ‘Wow, two great guys that I’ve known for years. I think I could help them out and be a good part of the team here.

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