The town’s first fire and rescue chief, Willie Rice Jr., is expected to begin work on a full-time basis in early January.

Selectmen hired Rice in November. Since then, he has served part-time in Poland while he finds a home here.

Rice spent the last 28 years working for the Fire and EMS Department of Chesterfield County, Va.

He takes over the newly consolidated Fire and Rescue Department.

Until this June, when voters at a special town meeting merged the two groups, they had worked independently under separate chiefs.

Given the increasing administrative requirements and training rules demanded by the state, it was too much work under the old system, Town Manager Richard Chick said. The chiefs received stipends and were meant to be part-time jobs.

Durham:

Companies submit bids

Selectmen have received two responses to their request for proposals for a new curbside trash and recycling contract.

BBI Waste Industries’ proposal is $219,000 for the first year, with adjustments for the second and third years, based on the consumer price index. Bulky waste removal would be $150 per container haul.

The other proposal came from Pine Tree Waste, the current waste hauler, which offered two options. Option 1 would be $123,518 per year. Option 2 would be a first year of $119,920; a second year of $122.619 and a third year of $125,991.

The proposals will be forwarded to the Solid Waste Committee for its review and recommendation. The final decision is expected to be made by voters at the town meeting in March.

Durham:

Town voters will consider roads

On a 3-0 vote, with two members not voting, selectmen agreed to place an article on the March town meeting warrant at the request of Curtis Pass. It recommends that voters accept as town roads these three subdivision roads: Deervale Road, Cottagewoods Road, phase 1, and Turkey Ridge.

Auburn:

Volunteers sought for city boards

The City Council is seeking volunteers to fill positions on various board and committees. There are several boards and committees in the city, such as Airport Board, Board of Assessment Review, Cable TV Advisory Board, Civil Service Commission, Ethics Advisory Committee, Investment Advisory Committee, Transit Committee, Recreation Advisory Board, Water District, Sewer District, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Community Development Loan Committee, Auburn Housing Authority and Community Forest Board.

Community service volunteer applications are available at the City Clerk’s Office or online at www.auburnmaine.org.

Applicants must be residents of Auburn. Completed applications should be returned to the City Clerk’s Office, 45 Spring St., Auburn.

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