Garry Dyer suggested town office staff be trained to issue permits.
OTISFIELD – Fire Chief Garry Dyer announced firefighters cannot issue burn permits from their residences any longer.
“I can’t issue burning permits from my home any more,” Dyer told the selectmen during their meeting Wednesday night.
He explained when a fire chief or assistant chief issues a permit from their home they are liable if the permit holder trips down the step and breaks a leg. Dyer confirmed this earlier in the week with his own homeowners insurance when he was informed it could be canceled.
“We have to issue the permits from a town building like the fire station or town office,” Dyer said.
Dyer suggested town office staff be trained to issue the permits. Because of the change in policy, Dyer informed the board that WOXO FM 92.7 in Norway agreed to work cooperatively with the Fire Department in notifying the public if burning permits can be issued.
Dyer or one of his assistant chiefs, plan to call the radio station Monday through Friday and say whether permits to burn can be issued. Then WOXO will make a public service announcement.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for the people,” Dyer said.
The board approved the town office issuing the permits. Dyer plans for everything to be in place for permits to be issued from the town office starting Monday.
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when the town office is closed, residents may call Selectmen Assistant Marianne Izzo-Morin at 539-9101 and she will issue the permit. She is in the town office those days.
Dyer noted anyone caught burning without a permit can be fined from $100 to $1,000.
On weekends, Dyer said residents should call him or Selectman Lenny Adler, a firefighter. Dyer said he will meet residents at the fire station to issue weekend permits.
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