ENFIELD — The town of Enfield is hiring a new part-time fire chief, according to a job posting in the town’s November newsletter.

Fire Chief Phil Neily is retiring, Enfield Town Manager Ed Morris told the Valley News.

“He has been around for a while, and he just thought it was time,” Morris said, adding there was no single reason for Neily’s decision.

Neily took over the department in 2021 after former Chief Fred Cummings stepped down. At the time, Neily was serving as Canaan’s deputy fire chief and had worked in fire services for nearly 20 years, according to a Valley News brief. He had also spent years as Enfield’s building inspector, health officer and fire inspector before retiring from that job earlier in 2021, according to Selectboard minutes.

According to the recent posting, the fire chief is responsible for the leadership, administration and operational readiness of the town’s on-call fire department.

Enfield Building Inspector Phil Neily, left, New Hampshire Fire Investigator Anthony Booth, middle, and Enfield Assistant Fire Chief John Pellerin enter the basement of 36 Main Street in Enfield, N.H., Tuesday, September 3, 2019 to document the damage done by a fire that started there Monday evening. Six people living in three apartments in the house were displaced, but a couple who was living on the second floor hope to be back at home in about a week after the air has been cleaned of smoke. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.
Enfield Building Inspector Phil Neily, left, New Hampshire Fire Investigator Anthony Booth, middle, and Enfield Assistant Fire Chief John Pellerin enter the basement of 36 Main Street in Enfield, N.H., Tuesday, September 3, 2019, to document the damage done by a fire that started there Monday evening. Six people living in three apartments in the house were displaced, but a couple who was living on the second floor hope to be back at home in about a week after the air has been cleaned of smoke. (Valley News – James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. Credit: Valley News — James M. Patterson

In 2019, Enfield residents voted to abolish the fire ward system, which had overseen the department for 80 years. The town manager now selects the fire chief, with help from Police Chief and Public Safety Director Luke Frye.

Morris told the Valley News the town is looking for someone who lives near the area and can manage the department’s needs.

The salaried position is about 20 hours a week and pays $30,000 to $45,000 a year, depending on experience, plus on-call pay, according to the job posting. Applicants must have at least five years of fire service experience and Firefighter I/II certification, and must live in Enfield or within a reasonable distance of the town.

Morris said the town plans to begin reviewing applications after Nov. 15. The position will remain open until it is filled.

Neily could not be reached for comment.