Hyde now fire chief in Nahant

NAHANT – Fire Lt. Edward Hyde, who has been with the department for 24 years, was appointed acting fire chief on Thursday by Nahant Town Administrator Mark Cullinan.Hyde is the third chief in as many months. Firefighter Kevin Howard, who was appointed acting chief on March 1, resigned this week amid allegations he stole union funds.There has been turmoil in the Nahant Fire Department since former Chief Robert Ward announced his retirement earlier this year.Howard, who has been a firefighter for 11 years, was appointed acting chief last month. He was president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2718 but stepped down as union president after his appointment as acting chief. Calls to Howard were not returned this week but several independent sources confirmed Howard was suspected of embezzling approximately $20,000 in union funds while he was union president. Union officials declined to comment on the allegations.Earlier this week when allegations of misappropriation of union funds became public knowledge, Howard went out on sick leave. Cullinan said Howard would remain on sick leave until Monday and no decision has been made as to what course of action would be taken after that.When Cullinan was asked about allegations of theft from the firefighters union, he said Howard is not suspected of stealing from the town and declined to comment on allegations he stole money from the union.Last month before the acting chief position was offered to Howard, it was offered to Hyde, who had previously served as acting chief when Ward was out. Hyde said he turned down the initial offer because it was a “low ball” offer, so the town offered the position to Howard. Lt. Dean Palumbo, who has been with the department for 20 years, was not offered the position.Cullinan has the authority to make appointments, which must be approved by the selectmen within 30 days. The town budget does not include funding for a full-time fire chief because Ward was serving as fire chief and DPW director. Hyde will assume the duties of chief in addition to his regular firefighter duties.