WILTON – Police Chief Dennis Brown recommended to selectmen Tuesday that the town hire Joshua Scott King, 21, of Fryeburg, as a police officer.

Brown proposed a conditional offer of employment for King based on his graduation from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy’s basic law enforcement training in May with good standing and firearms qualification. The offer also requires successful completion of the departmental field training program and a six-month probation period, which will not begin until July 1.

King will work as a part-time officer in Wilton at $11 per hour on an as-need basis until July 1, when he will become a full-time employee with benefits.

He will complete the Maine Criminal Justice Academy’s basic law enforcement training and graduate May 26. He graduated from Fryeburg Academy in 2003 and is scheduled to receive his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Husson College this summer, Brown said.

He has served as a part-time officer with the Fryeburg Police Department for about 18 months.

The board voted unanimously to offer the position to King.

Fire Chief Sonny Dunham and Assistant Chief Kendall Burdin responded to questions concerning decisions about fire department vehicles and communication between the department and board.

The board raised concerns about the tanker being decommissioned by the fire department without the move being discussed with the board first and with the snorkel unit being parked behind the fire station. Chairman Rodney Hall reminded the fire chief that other departments come to selectmen to say something has happened and ask for guidance.

Burdin responded that the tanker was decommissioned because of mechanical problems, and he thought the truck was unsafe to be on the road.

The tanker underwent an inspection in February 2006 but was not put on lifts and thoroughly checked out. Selectmen recommended that town vehicles undergo a more complete inspection once a year.

Questions were also raised as to how decisions were made on who could drive trucks. Burdin said that since 1969 members must be trained, drive and be able to run the pump before they are cleared to operate.

Black suggested that the department should look at the policy with the manpower situation what it is today compared to 1969. Selectman Paul Gooch said the department should have its procedure in writing.

A lack of communication was a concern over why there was no discussion with the board prior to seeking a homeland security grant for a truck. The $200,000 grant would require a 5 percent match or $10,000, which Hall said would fall back on taxpayers. Applying for the grant wasn’t the issue, but he wanted to see everyone on the same page and felt a discussion should have taken place.

Dunham said he thought it was taken care of when the grant was mentioned during discussions over the truck.

The board also asked about some firefighters driving their own vehicles too fast through town when responding to alarms. Dunham said the police chief and he have talked about it, and if firefighters get carried away the police will start stopping them.

The board asked that the department have trucks inspected on a more detailed basis and to keep the board informed about needs and activities.