OXFORD — The Board of Selectmen on Thursday night agreed to amend the fire chief job description to require candidates to hold current emergency medical services licenses or get one within six months of being hired.
The request was made by Selectman Scott Hunter, who previously served as Oxford’s fire chief, is interim chief in Paris and a full-time firefighter in the Auburn Fire Department. Hunter said he believes it is a necessary requirement because the Fire Department runs as a full emergency management service for the town.
Resumes are being accepted until March 1 for the position held by acting Fire Chief David Heidrich who has indicated he is not interested in the job.
He became chief when Wayne Jones unexpectedly resigned.
Jones submitted his letter of resignation Dec. 6 in a one-line memo to department members after he was handed a letter of no-confidence signed by an unknown number of members. Jones had served as chief since June 2015.
In other business:
* Selectmen appointed Joelle Corey-Whitman as code enforcement officer, plumbing inspector and health officer. She takes over for Rodney Smith. Corey-Whitman has served as a full-time code enforcement officer and health officer for the town of Norway.
* The board heard from a resident who suggested that a candidate forum be held prior to the annual town election in June so voters can hear their views.
* Selectmen agreed to ask the state for a fourth liquor license. Sate Rep. Kathleen Dillingham, R-Oxford, suggested to the board that based on the increasing businesses in town and the surge in tourists to Oxford Hills, they should consider asking the state for another liquor license. The state issues the licenses based on a town’s population.
• The board tabled a decision on a mass-gathering permit for the Oxford 250 on Aug. 27 because the application was incomplete. Oxford Plains Speedway failed to describe its first aid, emergency and refuse disposal facilities.
• Selectmen agreed to a Personnel Policy update to prohibit smoking in town vehicles.
• Selectmen agreed to review a Spirit of America Award. The board is asked to pick a local person, project or group for the 2017 award for outstanding community service.
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