Fire Marshal Bill Halstead has informed the Board of Fire Commissioners that he will retire as the town's fire marshal in November.

Mr Halstead, 67, joined the town fire marshal's office in 1984, serving as a deputy fire marshal for 17 years before becoming the fire marshal in 2001.

In that capacity, he supervises a staff which enforces fire safety codes and investigates the causes of fires, among other duties.

Besides his fire marshal position, Mr Halstead is the town's director of emergency management and the chief of the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company.

Mr Halstead said he will be discussing with the first selectman the emergency management director's position, which he has held for many years.

Mr Halstead said he plans to seek reelection in June to another two-year term as Sandy Hook's fire chief. Mr Halstead has been Sandy Hook's fire chief for the past 38 years and has been a member of that organization for more than 50 years.

Of his decision to retire as fire marshal, Mr Halstead said, "I've been thinking about it for a while, and for me, it's the right time."

He said what he likes most about the position is performing fire investigations in seeking to identify the cause and origin of fires.

In his May 23 letter to Rob Manna, chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners, Mr Halstead wrote, in part, "My last day in the office will be October 7, and I will retire around November 4, after using accumulated vacation, personal, and earned time.

"I would like to thank all the past and present commissioners, and especially Kevin Cragin, who have always supported myself and the Fire Marshal's office," Mr Halstead wrote.