Act 162: Selectboard notes State now designates Fire Chief as Town Fire Warden
Selectboard acknowledged Act 162 (effective July 1, 2026) which makes the Fire Chief automatically the Town Fire Warden; the meeting record lists Russell Ellis (current Fire Warden), Marc Fellows (Assistant Fire Warden) and Brian Harlow (Fire Chief) and a Selectboard member noted the change invalidated some local chains of command over the July Fourth weekend.
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The Selectboard discussed Act 162, which took effect July 1, 2026 and specifies that the Fire Chief automatically serves as the Town’s Fire Warden. The minutes list Russell Ellis as the current Fire Warden, Marc Fellows as Assistant Fire Warden, and Brian Harlow as the Fire Chief. Aileen Tulloch requested the record reflect that, in her view, Act 162 invalidated existing fire department chains of command in a number of towns over the July Fourth weekend without prior notice.
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