LIVERMORE FALLS — Selectmen on Tuesday voted 4-0 to accept Fire Chief Tim “TD” Hardy’s resignation, which is effective Jan. 15.

In his letter submitted Dec. 18, 2015, Hardy said, “Thank you for the opportunity to work with the Fire Department and town during the last few years. I gained valuable experience and worked with some great people.”

Hardy had served as fire chief since January 2013.

Resident Tom Barker, who volunteers for the Livermore Falls Fire Department and was fire chief in Wayne for three and a half years, said he was interested in serving on a committee to choose the new fire chief. He clarified that he wasn’t speaking for the Fire Department.

“It seems to me the town is at a bit of a crossroads,” Barker said. “The offer is there. You’re not obligated in any way.”

Selectmen have accepted an attentive agreement on a three-year contract, effective July 1. Union employees have yet to vote on it.

A 3 percent pay raise has been proposed for the first year, with a 2 percent raise scheduled the second year and a 1 percent raise the third year. There is no retroactive pay.

Health insurance will remain the same until Jan. 1, 2017, with the town paying 92 percent of the Maine Municipal Association’s plan through Dec. 31, which is the current formula.

If approved by the union, starting Jan. 1, 2017, employees will pay as follows for the Northern New England Benefit Trust plan:

* Single person, $10 per week;

* Couple, $20 per week; and

* Family, $57 per week.

The town will pay the balance due each month.

Starting Jan. 1, 2018, employees with single, couple and family plans will pay 8 percent of NNEBT costs and the town will pay 92 percent. Sewer treatment employees’ plans will be negotiated later as a second agreement incorporated by an addendum.

In other business, an abandoned building at 22 Gagnon St. on a town lot has been demolished. Town Manager Kristal Flagg said the tipping fees from disposal of the demolition debris totaled $4,200.

“We won’t have any trouble this winter with people trying to squat in there,” she said.

Selectmen and Flagg congratulated Livermore Falls Police Officer Stephen E. Gould, who graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy on Dec. 18, 2015, after 18 weeks of training.

“We appreciate your accomplishment,” Flagg said. “That’s a pretty rewarding thing you went through.”

Editor’s note: This story has been corrected.

bmatulaitis@sunmediagroup.net

Copy the Story Link