The Village of New Boston has a new fire chief, Chris Davis who has been with the department for 22 years. Davis moved into the position after the retirement of former Chief John Williams. Williams retired on March 24 after 30 years of service with the Village.

As chief, Davis says he hopes to see the department improve to become the best it can possibly be.

“In the past three years, we’ve gotten a whole new department,” Davis explained. “I’ve got some good guys, but they’re young guys.”

Davis says that he hopes to see the department gain more training and education and new equipment, he explained. He also hopes to continue to grow better relationships with other departments. The new chief explained that New Boston Fire Department (NBFD) works closely with the Portsmouth Fire Department as well as area police.

“We all work together and help each other out,” he commented.

Davis has lived his entire life in New Boston, is a veteran and is married with two adult children. He began his firefighting career on the edge of a major life change. He was getting laid off from his other job, and the fire chief at that time approached him, asking him directly to come join the department.

“I’ll give it a go,” Davis remembers answering.

He then went on to join the NBFD with no prior thoughts of being a firefighter. However, once on the job, he found that he could not be happier anywhere else. Apparently, life knew the right path for him.

“I like the guys. I like the job,” Davis commented as to what has kept him on the department for so much of his life.

Even after all those years, Davis says he never planned to become chief.

“It just kind of happened all of a sudden,” he stated.

With all the recent staffing changes within the NBFD and the announcement of William’s retirement, the position presented itself as an option for Davis. Before making any decisions, Davis said he went and talked to the mayor about the position. After gaining a clear understanding of the requirements, Davis decided moving into the chief position would be the best fit for his currently lifestyle.

“We are a small department,” Davis explained.

Being small, there are only two guys on duty at one time. The guys are on duty for long hours, and do a physically demanding job.

“I’m getting older. It gets me out of the hard work,” Davis stated about the transition.

He added that, of course, he will miss the work.

“It’s a rush to go to a fire,” Davis said, but he added that the 40 hour, five day work week has its appeal.

Davis also has much to offer to his new role. With more than two decades of experience, he has a clear understanding of how the department works and needs while also being able to mentor the younger men on the force. Though he says that he is still adjusting to the role, he is confident in the future of the department and his abilities as chief.

Reach Nikki Blankenship at 740-353-3101 ext. 1930.

Interview with the Portsmouth Daily Times

How are you involved in the community?

Blackburn’s provides grocery retail for Portsmouth and New Boston, we also have a full-service pharmacy.

What achievement are you most proud?

First, it would be having a good, happy, healthy family. Second, Blackburn’s has been independently operating since 1943, which is a big deal when it comes to the industry. There aren’t many independent stores around anymore.

Which person has influenced you the most and why?

From the business side of things, I would have to say my dad, Gary. He’s taught me a lot about the business, the buying and the selling and how to market items. My mom, Heidi, has taught me a lot about friendly customer service.

What is your favorite stress buster/leisure time diversion?

My wife and I have a 15 month-old daughter, so we don’t have a lot of free time right now, but that’s okay.

What gives you reason for optimism in your community?

We try to look for new trends in buying, and we like to ask our customers what they want to see in the store, what they like and what they don’t like.

If you could go back in time and give advice to yourself, what would it be?

I would tell myself to, “choose friends wisely.”

If you could add a few more hours to the day, how would you spend them?

I would like to spend more time with my family then I can right now.

Career aspirations aside, name one thing you definitely want to accomplish in your community.

We’re getting ready to start a new business operation in the store, so we’re hoping that it goes well and the community likes it.

Michael Payton, New Boston Village Councilman, also added the following:

“New Boston has been privileged to have the Blackburn family as part of its business community over these many years.  They are living proof that the American Dream is alive and well.  With hard work, dedication and loyalty to community, privately owned businesses will be successful.”

The Village of New Boston is overhauling Village ordinances, many of which are laws that have been outdated for several years.

Mike Payton, Village councilman and chairman of the New Boston’s Laws and Claim Committee, explained that he has been on Council for close to 10 years and has never seen the ordinances reviewed fully. Though some change regularly, those that do not have gone overlooked.

Last year, New Boston found out that several ordinances would need immediate changes as a result of changes to the Ohio Revised Code (ORC). The recent code cleanup project started as way of eliminating as many future issues as possible.

“This year we decided to get a head start by reviewing all Village ordinances, starting with Chapter 1,” Payton explained.

The Laws and Claims Committee is charged with the huge task of both reviewing and than making recommended changes to Council, who can decide to make the changes, amend the recommendations or reject them entirely. Recommended changes thus far have focused on ensuring the ordinances and ordinance language is accurate and up-to-date, reflecting current operations, hiring practices, pay, positions and needs. Some have even become obsolete.

“Right now, the goal is to go through the whole thing and make sure it is updated as much as we can. Then, the project will change a bit, and we will start reviewing it on a year-by-year basis,” Payton stated.

Though Payton says this is a project he would like to complete within the year, he is more focused on insuring the project is done correctly.

“Those are the laws of our village,” he stressed. “I would like to have it done that quickly, but I’m not sure that’s possible.”

Payton added that some of the ordinances are complicated and must comply with state and federal legislation, requiring some research. All changes must also be passed through Council only after three readings.

“It is important all changes go three readings so the public is aware of the changes and can provide input,” the Councilman explained. “I want it done right, and I want a quality product at the end.”

After Village ordinances have been reviewed, they will be posted online as a public resource on the Village’s website www.newbostonvillage.com.

Like New Boston, Portsmouth City Council has been working to update their codified ordinances, a process that has been ongoing since 2015.

Reach Nikki Blankenship at 740-353-3101 ext. 1930.

New Boston Village Administrator Steve Hamilton has accepted the donation of a laptop and case from Shawnee Computer. The system will be used by the Flood Defense Department for recording data and monitoring river levels through the Army Corps of Engineers.

Pictured:  Mike Virgin, Michael Bailey, Steve Hamilton, and Jennifer Bailey