SABATTUS – Now that the Maine Municipal Association has allowed the Sabattus fire chief to put lettering on his private vehicle identifying him as the chief, the new question is who should pay for it.
Earlier this month, Fire Chief Don Therrien asked selectmen whether he could put lettering on his vehicle to help raise awareness of the department’s activity around town.
Because of possible liability issues, the MMA and the chief’s insurance carrier were contacted, and both said that any associated problems would fall under the owner’s policy, not the town’s.
“I told the town when I came on board that this department was going to take a different direction,” Therrien said. “I want people to know that I am out being active in the community and if the town won’t pay for it, then I will.”
“I agree with (Therrien) 100 percent,” Selectman Guy Desjardins said. “But to spend taxpayers’ money to put lettering on a private vehicle, well, I want to see what MMA has to say.”
Town Administrator Tracy Fabrizio plans to contact the Maine Municipal Association to clarify the issue.
Selectman Stephen Wood suggested buying removable magnetic decals for the chief, but Therrien said he “would front the money before allowing magnetic decals on my truck. That is not the kind of unprofessional message I want to be sending out.”
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