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Select Board appoints Peter Barney as part‑time fire chief after oral board review
Summary
After an oral board interview and regional chief consultations, the board appointed Peter Barney to a three‑year, part‑time term as New Durham fire chief; some members objected to interviewing only one candidate and urged broader posting.
After convening an oral board that included local and invited fire chiefs, the select board considered recommending Peter Barney for the part‑time fire chief role. Board members and regional chiefs described cooperation on mutual aid and equipment sharing and said they would host quarterly chief meetings to improve regional response. One select member noted the panel interviewed a single internal candidate and opposed appointing a chief without broader competition.
A majority of the board voted to appoint Peter Barney to a three‑year part‑time term. Supporters said the appointment will stabilize local coverage while leadership rebuilds staffing and mutual‑aid relationships; critics said the town should advertise and interview more broadly. The board also directed the new chief to prepare cost and staffing plans and to report monthly metrics on response and mutual‑aid arrangements.
