WEST PARIS – Selectmen said this week that they plan to discuss merging the town’s Fire Department with Paris’ because the chief has resigned and no other firefighter is interested in the job.
“This has to be addressed with speed as we need leadership here in our fire department,” Town Manager Donald Woodbury said Tuesday. “It’s not possible to hold an election after the firemen get to a fire. There has to be someone already in place to make decisions on the spot and instruct the firemen as to what needs to be done.”
Town officials said they hope to schedule a meeting with Paris Fire Chief Brad Frost soon to discuss a merger.
“We feel we might be better off merging with Paris as there is nobody here interested in taking on the responsibility of fire chief and the department needs to be sure it has proper leadership as well as certified and qualified firemen to fight a fire when needed,” Woodbury said.
Woodbury said that when he met with firefighters to discuss the possibility of a merger, “The response was generally positive when I assured them we are not planning to do a hatchet job on anyone.”
Mike Akers announced his resignation as chief of the volunteer department on July 14.
“It’s my understanding that he is relocating and making his home in Waterford,” Selectman James Johnston said in a telephone interview Thursday night.
Attempts to reach Akers were unsuccessful Thursday night.
Akers was appointed last December to succeed Tom Spear, who resigned last year after taking a job as a long-distance truck driver, Johnston said.
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