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Board discusses Act changes naming neighboring chief forest-fire warden; residents told to call Randolph chief for burns
Summary
Board discussed a state-law change designating a neighboring town’s fire chief as the town forest-fire warden when mutual service exists; members said Randolph’s chief (Andy Bent) now handles burn permits and asked staff to post notice and contact residents about the procedural change.
Select Board members reviewed a state law change that designates the chief of a neighboring town’s fire department as the town’s forest-fire warden when the town is served by that department.
"In the case where your town is served by another town's fire department, the chief of that fire department is designated as your town forest fire warden," a board member read from the letter summarizing the change. Board members noted that the Randolph fire chief (Andy Bent) will be the appointed town forest-fire warden under the new interpretation and may appoint deputies to assist with issuing burn permits.
Members discussed practical consequences: who will issue permits, how the town will publicize the change, and whether the town should offer an honorarium to retain local assistance. The board directed staff to update the website and news banner with the contact information and to coordinate with the Randolph chief about deputy appointments and local procedures for burn permits.
