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Orono approves two promotions, swears in three firefighters as city formalizes new department
Summary
The Orono City Council approved promotions for Chris Adams (captain) and Ben Veatch (lieutenant) effective Sept. 10, 2024, held a public pinning and oath ceremony for three firefighters, and recorded votes including one recusal and one dissent over department costs.
The Orono City Council on Sept. 9 approved promotions for two firefighters and held a public badge-pinning and oath ceremony for three members of the newly formed Orono Fire Department.
Mayor Denny Walsh opened the meeting and the council voted to promote Chris Adams to captain, effective Sept. 10, at a compensation rate the city stated as $22 per hour. Fire Chief James Van Eyel recommended the promotion and described Adams's 17 years of fire service and qualifications, including roles as instructor and incident commander. Council member Crosby praised Adams's leadership; the motion passed 3-1.
Chief Van Eyel also recommended promoting Ben Veatch to lieutenant effective Sept. 10 at $21 per hour. Council member Veach recused from that vote after consulting legal counsel, citing the compensation involved; the council approved Veatch's promotion with a recorded recusal (final tally noted as 2 in favor, 1 opposed, one recusal).
During discussion on the first promotion, one council member objected to the raises as an increase to fire-department spending and said the decision to create the department was made without citizen involvement. Mayor Walsh replied that the city had spent several years planning the department to ensure resident protection and that compensating firefighters for expanded duties is appropriate.
Following the votes, the council and families participated in a swearing-in and badge-pinning ceremony for Captain Chris Adams, Lieutenant Ben Veatch and new firefighter Oliver Kennedy. Chief Van Eyel thanked the promotees and noted service and training milestones; the mayor invited family members forward for the pinning and noted a reception at the fire station afterward.
Actions recorded at the meeting: the council approved the promotion of Chris Adams (motion passed 3-1), approved the promotion of Ben Veatch (motion passed with one recusal), and completed the swearing-in ceremony for three firefighters. No additional policy or budget vote to change the overall levy was taken at this meeting.
The council did not adopt a new ordinance at the meeting; the personnel changes are scheduled to take effect Sept. 10, 2024.
