Portsmouth Town Council Names New Deputy Fire Chief

The Portsmouth Town Council voted to appoint a new deputy fire chief Tuesday night at Town Hall. 

Capt. Michael M. Cranson was named the new deputy fire chief after a 4-1 vote with Councilor Liz Pedro in opposition. Councilors Michael Buddemeyer and Judi Staven were absent. 

Cranson, a more than 20-year member of the , will replace , who announced his retirement in early December. Bento served as deputy chief for less than a year and a half. 

"I'm very excited to be able to serve as deputy chief of the fire department," Cranson said. 

A Newport native, Cranson has lived in Portsmouth since 1997. He graduated from Bishop Stang High School in Dartmouth, MA, and Providence College, receiving a bachelor's degree in fire science. 

He will be sworn into office at a future council meeting. 

Council appoints DPW operator, probationary firefighters

The council also voted to hire a (DPW) operator for Prudence Island and two probationary firefighters following an executive session Tuesday night. 

The interviews during executive session ended around 11:30 p.m. 

A motion was made to hire Ryan January as DPW equipment operator for Prudence Island. The vote failed 3-2 with Councilors Keith Hamilton and Jim Seveney in favor. 

Councilor Paul Kesson later motioned to reconsider the vote. The council voted 4-1 to hire January as a full-time equipment operator. Pedro was the opposing vote. 

The council also voted 5-0 to hire two probationary firefighters: Joshua Berube of Fall River and Ismael Biurrun of East Providence. 

Council to wait on hiring animal control officer

The council also voted 5-0 to suspend hiring an animal control officer pending further analysis. 

The town of Portsmouth has been without an animal control officer since September, when after 22 years of service.