TURNER – Selectmen scheduled a public meeting for 7 p.m. Sept. 7 at Leavitt Institute Building to discuss the appointment of a fire chief.
While the meeting is designed to gather input, if Fire Chief Steven A. Fish or the town’s attorney request an executive session, the discussion would be closed to the public.
Calling for the meeting is the latest action regarding the fire chief that began in June when the board voted 4-0 not to reappoint Fish to the position he has held for 10 years. Firefighters held a meeting the following evening to vehemently protest the board’s action that was taken without prior notice and without Fish’s wife, Lori, present. She is chairman of the board.
Subsequent meetings between the board and its attorney in executive session resulted in selectmen agreeing to reconsider their action.
On Monday night, Selectman Ralph Caldwell said he has been serving as the board’s liaison with attorneys and those talks had produced the recommendation for a public meeting about the fire chief. Caldwell made it plain it is a public meeting, but Fish can request an executive session.
Caldwell also said that because of his position as a liaison with the attorneys, he would not be voting on the fire chief appointment. That would leave the decision on a fire chief up to three members of the board, as Chairman Fish would recuse herself as well. At the time of their decision “not to reappoint” Fish, selectmen said they did so because “it was time for a change.” That has been the only explanation for the action, one that firefighters do not accept.
In other action Monday night, selectmen awarded a contract to Murray Oil Co. of Turner for $14,743.20 for a new furnace, chimney, ducts and other work at the Boofy Quimby Memorial Center. The new equipment will be installed by Sept. 30, and will accommodate planned work and expansions at the center.
A winter plowing request from the residents’ association of the private Highlands Road to the Highlands subdivision was declined unanimously by the board. Town Manager James Catlin, in answering questions from board members, said the residents want to keep the road private while asking for public plowing, and that approving such a request would set a precedent.
Harris Bradeen was appointed by the board to fill the Turner seat vacancy on the SAD 52 board. Adam Schenck resigned from the board recently as he will be moving from town. Bradeen was one of three candidates requesting appointment based his desire to serve the town as a he has in the past on the Planning Board, Appeals Board, Budget Committee and as assistant code enforcement officer.
Bradeen, 64, is retired from the Army Corps of Engineers, the state government as an engineer technician, and lives at 177 North Parish Road. Bradeen will serve the unexpired term until town meeting in April 2007. Charles Mock and Larry Hathaway were the other candidates seeking appointment.
Selectmen are seeking candidates for the Planning Board after learning of the resignation of Gregg Varney.
Further lengthy discussion was held on ways to control use of the Town Beach on Bear Pond. Catlin will continue to develop methods that will limit use of the beach to town residents, and control behavior, beginning next May. He will be considering measures such as passes, signs, gate changes and other ideas gleaned from the discussion.
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