Middletown names new fire chief

Paul Lolli has been named the new Middletown fire chief, according to a press release from the city.

A 25-year veteran of the Middletown Division of Fire, Lolli has been serving as the acting fire chief for the past few months following the resignation of former chief Steve Botts.

Lolli’s promotion is contingent on being confirmed Feb. 17 by Middletown City Council, according to the press release.

City Manager Doug Adkins in a memo praised Lolli’s leadership skills, saying he is confident that the new chief will lead the fire division “in these challenging times.”

Eleven firefighters were laid-off in August as part of city’s need to reduce its budget.

“Paul is well-qualified to ensure the division is successful in modernizing operations to address the needs of the public in budgetary sustainable fashion,” Adkins said in the memo.

Botts resigned in September to join the Mason Fire Department as an assistant fire chief.

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