PARIS — Instead of implementing a hiring freeze as previously suggested, Paris selectmen decided to require Town Manager Amy Bernard to approach them ahead of time before filling any positions.

The six-month requirement was unanimously approved at the selectmen’s Oct. 13 meeting. The idea of a hiring freeze was first suggested by Selectmen Vice Chairman Mike Risica at the Sept. 28 meeting after the board learned through the manager’s report that Bernard had filled the empty detective position by promoting reserve Officer Richard Belanger. The detective position was vacated by Jeff Lange after he was promoted to interim police chief when Police Chief Michael Madden left earlier this month. 

At last week’s meeting, Selectmen Chairman Robert Wessels said he envisioned a hiring freeze as short-term solution.

“Amy, right now in her job description, is in charge of personnel, hiring and firing. All that needs to be done is, ‘Hey, this is what I did,’” he said about current requirements of informing the board of her personnel decisions.

Wessels previously noted his displeasure in finding out about the promotion at the same time as the public when the selectmen’s meeting agenda was released last month. 

“What you described makes sense, but a hiring freeze doesn’t,” Selectman Sam Elliot said to Wessels. “If the CEO quits, we need to have one.”

“There are some roles if they were to get done, they would need to be filled,” Wessels commented. “I don’t want to say, ‘No we’re not filling any roles.’ … If we’re looking to make budget cuts, it doesn’t make sense to hire somebody and let them go in six months.”

Bernard told the board she currently doesn’t have any job openings that need to be filled. There are some slots available for reserve police officers, but she doesn’t plan on filling them.

“We have full-time personnel willing to fill the open shifts,” she said. “The only thing I can see this becoming an issue with is the Fire Department. As I’ve said in the past, we have a hard enough time recruiting qualified people.”

“Ask them if they want to be a volunteer firefighter like it’s supposed to be,” Risica suggested.

“You’re still paying them to volunteer,” Wessels said.

Elliot then made the motion for Bernard to come to the selectboard with any recommendations for filling any open positions for the next six months.

“I think it’s a step in the right direction,” Selectman Vic Hodgkins said after the unanimous vote.

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