LYNN — The successor to long-time Retirement Board member Gordon “Buzzy” Barton also happens to be one of his closest friends.
Earlier this month, Bob “Moona” Mullins, a former Lynn firefighter, was announced as the victor of a special election to fill the seat left vacant after Barton’s death in April.
“Certainly not the way I would want to be on the board,” Mullins said. “As long as Buzzy was going to be on that board, no one was going to run against him.”
Mullins said he and Barton were friends for around 55 years. They both attended Lynn English High School before serving on the Fire Department together. Both were members of Local 739 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, where Barton was president and Mullins served as secretary-treasurer.
“We were really tight,” Mullins said. “You won’t be friends with most people for 55 years. Most people don’t stay in a city long enough to stay that friendly.”
Barton worked in the Fire Department for nearly 30 years before retiring in 2004 and joining the Retirement Board, which administers pension plans for qualified employees of the city, the Housing Authority, and the Water and Sewer Commission.
Barton served as a councilor-at-large on the City Council from 2012 until his death, with Mullins serving as the treasurer for his campaigns.
Mullins retired from the Fire Department in 2012, having served since 1984. He said that while he knew a lot about the Retirement Board, the thought of joining had never crossed his mind while Barton held a seat.
“It was never really a thought to run for the board,” he said. “As long as Buzzy was in there, as far as I’m concerned that was his seat for as long as he wanted.”
Mullins said he is excited to carry on the legacy of his friend and work in the best interest of their fellow former city employees. He said he would do so the same way Barton had for nearly 20 years on the Retirement Board, and as they both had for decades as public servants.
“We had always been for helping people… We think alike” Mullins said. “I will look to continue doing the great things Buzz did as a member of the Retirement Board.”
Mullins will begin his three-year term on Sept. 1.
