Veteran Maplewood fire captain Joseph Richardella has been appointed the new Maplewood fire chief, according to Township Committee members who made the choice Monday night after an interview with him.

Richardella, who has spent 27 years in the department, will be sworn in April 1, according to Vice Mayor Kathy Leventhal. "He has served with us for 27 years, he has risen through the ranks," said Leventhal. "He has vision and wants to continue a collegial relationship with the township."

Richardella replaces current fire chief Dennis Carragher, who had planned to retire later this year but agreed to move up his retirement date as part of an agreement with the Maplewood Professional Firefighters Association to help avoid planned layoffs. That deal also included a new four-year union contract and an agreement for firefighters to begin paying an annul $500 medical benefit payment.

"He is an awesome guy," Firefighters Union President Mike DeMartini said of Richardella. "He is very for-the-men, firefighter oriented. He is going to do a good job for us, he is over 25 years in Maplewood."

DeMartini admitted that the union had had "our dfficulties" with Carragher over the years. "Just about the direction of the department," he said. "He was a hands-off kind of guy, had differences with the union. He tried to make operational changes that weren't part of the contract."

DeMartini cited a time when Carragher attempted to require firefighters to bring in medical notes when they missed work: "That is not in our contract."