Civil Defense Director

Billerica's civil defense office dates from 1950, when the selectmen appointed Elmer R. Tilton Director of Civilian Defense, with a Civil Defense Advisory Board. The 1951 Annual Town Meeting adopted a Civil Defense By-Law under Chapter 639 of the Acts of 1950, establishing a Department of Civil Defense headed by a director appointed by the selectmen. The department was later budgeted as Emergency Management (account 291), and its director signs the annual report as Director, Billerica Emergency Management, although the town's list of officers still carries the title Civil Defense Director. William H. Fuller held the office from 1954 until his death in November 1963, Charles J. Faria from December 1963 to 1981, John F. Riel from 1982 to 1994, and William J. Laurendeau since August 15, 1995. Deputy directors listed from the 1980s to the 2000s were Albert Donahue Sr. and Thomas Revane.