Mayor Sisitsky Seeking To Re-Appoint Framingham Fire & Police Chiefs

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FRAMINGHAM – Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky is seeking to re-appoint both the Framingham Police Chief and the Framingham Fire Chief for another 3 years.

Both were first appointed by former mayor Yvonne Spicer during her first term as mayor of the City of Framingham.

Both Framingham Police Chief Lester Baker and Framingham Fire Chief Michael Dutcher were initially given 3-year contracts.

Under the City’s charter, the legislative branch of the City Council has the right to approve or disapprove of the re-appointments.

Both are likely to be re-appointed, but the matter is going to the City Council’s appointments subcommittee for review and then to the full 11-member City Council, per tonight’s agenda.

Both became Chiefs during he pandemic.

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In April of 2020, Dutcher was appointed chief but did not official take over the role until May 19, 2020. Dutcher had served as Acting Fire Chief since November 2019. Before serving as Acting Fire Chief, Dutcher served in several positions with the Framingham Fire Department. He was the Assistant Chief, Fire Captain, Station Captain, Training Officer, Lieutenant, and Firefighter. He has been with the fire department for more than 25 years.

His dad was a captain in the Framingham Fire Department.

A U.S. Army Veteran, Dutcher has a Bachelor’s degree from Framingham State University and is currently enrolled in the Master’s Degree program for Public Administration in Emergency Services from Columbia Southern University.

In November 2020, Baker was nominated to be the Department’s eighth Police Chief. Before becoming Chief, Baker served as the Deputy Chief in charge of operations. He was a Lieutenant 2014-2018, Sergeant 2008-2014, and Patrolman 2003-2008. Baker transferred from the Lexington, Police Department as a patrolman in 2003.

Baker was sworn in as the community’s 8th police chief on December 8, 2020

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Chief Baker, if approved, would be the Chief through November 18, 2026. He was sworn in as the Framingham Police Chief in 2020. His salary for FY23 is $190,248.

Chief Dutcher, if approved, would be the Chief through May 20, 2026. He took over as Chief in May of 2020. His salary for FY23 is $168,971.

Both salaries are more than Mayor Sisitsky at $165,635.