DIXFIELD – Selectmen want the Dixfield Fire Company, the East Dixfield Fire Department and the Wilton Fire Department to work together to get a replacement firetruck for the East Dixfield station.

Randy Hall, fire chief in East Dixfield, said Monday night that his department’s 1981 fire engine is costing too much money to keep up and should be replaced within a few years.

“We need to think about replacing it,” he said.

Dixfield Fire Co. Chief Scott Dennett said one of his fire engines could go to East Dixfield once it is replaced, which is scheduled for 2009. Town Manager Tom Richmond said perhaps a deal could be worked out with Wilton to help with the purchase of a replacement truck because the East Dixfield Fire Department serves both Dixfield and Wilton.

The fire station is across Route 2 from homes in Wilton.

“We will make sure East Dixfield has a firetruck,” Richmond said Tuesday afternoon.

After a 60-minute closed session to evaluate Richmond, the board granted him a one-year contract at a salary of $50,000 annually, up from $45,000 during his six-month probationary period.

Resident Rusty Welch registered a complaint with selectmen about the noise and speed of a group of people who drive on town roads.

Following a discussion with police Chief Richard Pickett, Richmond said a system will be put into place to curb the noise and speed.

In other matters on Monday, Richmond reported that the revaluation project is virtually completed. A schedule for property owners to meet with the assessor will be set up sometime in the spring to review new valuations. About 1,400 properties have been assessed.

Tax bills showing the new rate following revaluation will be mailed late next summer.

The board also agreed to a contract with SAD 21 for use of town-owned Harlow Park that includes the school district’s share of maintenance costs at $3,000. Any additional money needed for maintenance of the sports’ fields will be worked out between the town manager and SAD 21 Superintendent Tom Ward.

In a related matter, Richmond said bleachers at Harlow Park sports fields must be updated to meet code requirements.

The town’s share of the as-yet undetermined amount of money needed will likely come from the Ione Harlow Fund. The school district will pay the rest.

Also on Monday, the board voted to advertise for a part-time person to help fill and maintain the hockey rink at McGouldrick Park during the skating season.

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