By Rodd Cayton
In a decision free of fanfare, the Bernalillo Town Council has named Bryan Picchione as the next fire chief. The unanimous vote makes permanent the position for Picchione, a lieutenant who had been serving as interim chief since the spring, when Chief AJ Bonnett’s term wasn’t extended.
The 12-year department veteran has served as a firefighter, EMT, fire inspector and investigator, incident commander and other roles. Picchione is the first chief hired since the council passed an ordinance changing the employment status of the fire chief to that of a regular employee, rather than an at-will employee.
Mayor Jack Torres earlier told the Sandoval Signpost the change means that after a one-year probationary period, the chief — as is already the case with other department heads — could only be terminated for cause.
Human resources director Maria Santillan told councilors a hiring committee considered two internal and two external candidates. Picchione will be sworn in at the Sept. 13 council meeting.
Also at the meeting, councilors approved an application for a grant of $389,970 from the New Mexico Water Trust Board for design of a transmission line, along with budget adjustments to reflect the receipt of new library, energy conservation and fire protection grants.