FARMINGTON – A new staffing plan for the Fire Department will be discussed by selectmen when they meet at 7 tonight at the town office.

Based on the selectmen’s confirmation, two firefighters will be hired on a per diem basis to staff the fire station from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, Fire Chief Terry Bell said.

The new personnel will be on call at the station during those times to do a variety of tasks, drive apparatus during the day and respond to less-serious calls so that the entire department doesn’t have to be called out, Bell said.

Plans are to hire from within the department with a start date of April 2, Bell said, if he can get all the necessary arrangements done.

Selectmen will also hold a public hearing on applying for a federal grant. Bruce Hazard from Mountain Counties Heritage Inc. has requested that the town submit a grant on behalf of the Maine Mountain Heritage Network for money to support a feasibility study for a capital campaign. The network is defined as an association of businesses, nonprofits and government entities that work to secure a prosperous future for the Maine Mountain Region of Oxford, Franklin, Somerset and Piscataquis counties.

The network has developed a plan and hopes to attract contributions from national foundations and individual donors to fund local projects. The study that’s requested will determine the feasibility of this approach.

In other business, selectmen will consider replacing a police cruiser with money from the Police Vehicles and Equipment Reserve, discuss the acceptance of two veteran memorial granite benches for Meetinghouse Park from the American Legion/Auxiliary, and recognize the Conservation Commission for receiving the National Arbor Day Foundation 2006 Tree City USA and Growth awards.

The board will also hold an executive session to discuss renewal of the assessor’s employment agreement.