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Fire chief asks Otisfield select board to reconsider withholding endorsement of warrant article
Summary
Fire Chief Jordan requested the Select Board reinstate the phrase “The Select Board Recommends” on a Special Town Meeting warrant article about Fire Department buildings and grounds; the board said it often withholds endorsements to avoid influencing voters and indicated Selectman Brendan Bedell would voice a personal recommendation at the meeting.
Fire Chief Jordan asked the Town of Otisfield Select Board on March 4 to reconsider the board’s decision not to include the phrase “The Select Board Recommends” on a Special Town Meeting warrant article concerning Fire Department buildings and grounds. Chief Jordan said he expected the omission to affect voter perception and urged the board to endorse the article.
Chairman Hal Ferguson explained that the board sometimes withholds formal endorsements so as not to influence the outcome of a vote. Selectman Brendan Bedell said the board has previously endorsed purchases tied directly to life-and-safety operations, such as a new engine, but viewed the current article as a buildings-and-grounds item. Ferguson said Bedell would state, at the Special Town Meeting, “I recommend we do so.”
Chief Jordan also reported routine operational items: Engine 4 completed its 30-day inspection in Brunswick and met operational standards. He told the board the Maine Forest Service indicated that for major wildfires requiring significant equipment the state would assume financial responsibility once a town’s expenditures reach one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) of the town’s total valuation; Chief Jordan flagged that threshold as potentially significant for Otisfield’s finances.
During public comment, Jim Howard urged the board to support the Fire Department’s grant proposal to install solar panels, arguing the panels would reduce annual bond costs and that projected returns should exceed total expenditures including interest. The board took no vote on the endorsement at the meeting; the discussion was left for the Special Town Meeting.
