City Says Goodbye to Fire Chief, DPW Director

The City Council officially said good-bye to Fire Chief Christopher LeClaire and Public Works Director Steve Parkinson Monday night at City Hall.

Parkinson, who worked in Portsmouth for 31 years, is moving to Hallandale, Fla., to lead the public works department there, according to City Manager John Bohenko.

“His leadership of the public works department has been outstanding,” Bohenko said. “I am just so pleased that I have been able to work with Steve and I think the staff and the residents will miss him.”

Parkinson told the council that it was an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Portsmouth. He said he worked with 16 different councils during his tenure after former City Manager Calvin Cheney took a chance on a young man who knew how to build roads and bridges.

Parkinson said he was very fortunate to work with a great staff at the Peverly Hill Road Public Works facility.  He said the staff  “are the best people you could ever want to work with.’

He added, “I’m leaving them in good hands. Peter Rice will be a good director.”

Parkinson also thanked his wife, Janet, for all those nights where he had to help conduct snow removal operations and keep roads clear during bad storms.

Mayor Eric Spear noted that so many times city residents will complain when the city Public Works Department has to undertake necessary projects like many of those that are happening right now in downtown Portsmouth.

But many of those same have been impressed with the professionalism and friendliness of the people with the city Public Works Department and “that is a reflection of the leadership at the top,” Spear said.

“Steve, I’m going to miss you and I wish you the very best and take good care of the people in Florida, okay,” said Councilor Nancy Novelline Clayburgh.

The council also thanked Portsmouth Fire Chief Christopher LeClaire for his many years of service.

Bohenko said the chief has been instrumental in improving the city’s fire department and has served as the city’s emergency management director. He said LeClaire brought millions of dollars in federal emergency management money to the city and was always trying to improve the department for the benefit of the city and its residents.

“He has pushed really hard on a lot of issues like capital improvements and station improvements,” Bohenko said.

LeClaire said that when he came to the department in 1999, “It was the best move I ever made.” He thanked his family, too, for all of the nights, weekends and holidays “when we are away.”

He said the fire service is  “more of a calling than a job.”

“I have been very fortunate in my entire tenure as fire chief.” He said he has had quality individuals in the department as his bosses on the Fire Commission.

LeClaire said that he and council didn’t always see eye to eye on many issues, but whenever any councilor asked him a question about issues like the department’s overtime budget, LeClaire said,  “You always got the truth even if you didn’t like it.”

“Newburyport is lucky to have you, Chris. We are certainly going to miss you,” Novelline Clayburgh said. LeClaire’s last day as Portsmouth Fire Chief will be on May 31. He begins his new job as Newburyport Fire Chief on June 3.

Parkinson and LeClaire also received antique chairs from the council as gifts to thank them for their service.

The council suspended the rules so they could take up the issue of new Portsmouth Fire Chief Steve Achilles’ contract. After the council approved the seven-year pact, Achilles thanked LeClaire for recommending him for the position. He also said he looked forward to working with everyone at the Portsmouth Fire Department, who he described as “the heart and soul of the department.”