KINGFIELD – Charging for some Fire Department calls, as some other local communities do, has the support of selectmen, Administrative Assistant Greg Davis says.

A Fire Department billing ordinance, now in draft form, could be accepted at a future town meeting, and on Monday the board recommended adoption of it, he said.

Taxpayers pay for most services provided by firefighters, Davis said, but charges that are proposed would cover expenses and long hours required at an accident scene.

Sometimes firefighters can be at a scene for hours and the town has no way to recoup costs. When a logging truck causes an accident or firefighters are called to an oil spill, other communities bill the business or its insurance to cover the cost, he said. Rates would have to be established, but charges could be $200 for a call-out fee and then hourly rates for manpower and equipment.

Although the town has a volunteer department, its members are paid an hourly stipend and it costs the town every time they respond, Davis said.

The idea of fire billing may appear when the town holds a special town meeting, or it could wait for the annual town meeting, he said.

In other matters, the board tabled a request to build a 26-by-26-foot pole barn on town property until snow melts, he said. The Kingfield Sno-Wanderers snowmobile club wants to build the barn to store grooming equipment near its clubhouse and the town’s wastewater building off Route 27. An underground tank is located near the site so selectmen decided to wait to be sure large vehicles wouldn’t be running over it, he said.

Selectmen also approved having Hygrade Business Group of Waterville handle the town’s annual tax billing. It won’t cost any more than now, Davis said, and will probably save time and money. The firm handles billing for many communities in Maine, he said.

A resident’s question about burning confidential papers in the town’s burn pile at the transfer station was addressed in Davis’ report to the board. After checking with the state Department of Environmental Protection, Davis reported that no paper should be burned because some paper still contains chlorine-based compounds that create dioxins when burned.

DEP recommended shredding confidential papers and recycling them, or in some cases, paper can be added to composts, he said.

The possibility of a walking/biking trail on town property near Stanley Avenue was discussed. Recreation Committee Chairman David Hart told the board there is a group that would like to study the possibility. The board encouraged him to submit a proposal.

Upcoming meetings and events noted by Davis include a public hearing on the Jordan Pit Stop Go Kart Track that will be held at 6 p.m. March 31 at Webster Hall. Decibel limits set by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration have been researched and will be discussed, he said.

The Franklin County Municipal Association will meet March 26 at 7 p.m. at Jay Middle School, and Kingfield will host the Western Maine Managers Association at noon on April 8 at Longfellow’s Restaurant.

The board will meet at 6 p.m. on April 7 at Webster Hall, Davis said.