Select Board adopts quarterly call-pay policy for fire department

The Buckfield Select Board voted Aug. 19 to adopt a written Fire Department call-pay policy that establishes quarterly payouts for on-call or call-in pay, while requiring monthly reporting of hours. Town staff said the policy reflects discussions with the fire chief and the department''s expressed preferences; staff recommended quarterly payouts to avoid very small monthly checks while preserving regular accounting. Under the policy the quarterly schedule suggested in discussion was: Oct.–Dec. paid in January; Jan.–Mar. paid in April; Apr.–Jun. paid in July. The town manager told the board he would continue to collect monthly hours so the town can track expenditures and anticipate budget impacts. "I just figured the best way to make sure it's clear as day and not murky like mud is to just put it on paper," the town manager said, summarizing discussion with the chief. A motion to adopt the Fire Department call-pay policy passed by voice vote. Board members emphasized the policy remains changeable: select board members may propose adjustments and town staff will accept input from fire department personnel. The board asked that any comments or proposed changes be filed with select board members or the town office; no amendments were made at adoption.