LIVERMORE FALLS — All Fire Department officers essentially kept their titles after applying and being interviewed, Chief Gerry Pineau said.
No one was shifted out of an officer’s position, he said.
Two firefighters were promoted to fill one captain position and one lieutenant position after the men filling those positions were given honorary titles as of Nov. 17.
The department changed its procedures for those who serve on the department earlier this year when Pineau was hired.
Officers are now hired instead of being elected by firefighters. Job descriptions were also developed. The candidates had to put together resumes and be interviewed. Those chosen are given specific duties they are responsible for in that position.
Anyone who wants to join the department as a firefighter also has to go through a hiring process.
The candidates for the officers positions were all good, Pineau said, which made it harder to choose.
Alan Chretien was promoted to captain, and Craig Hewins was promoted to lieutenant, Pineau said. Both had previously been lieutenants but left those positions, Town Manager Jim Chaousis said.
Longtime firefighters, Capt. Sonny Jones and Lt. Rene Cloutier were made honorary captain and honorary lieutenant, he said. The two men, who no longer go into buildings to fight fire, will not have to do the duties outlined in the new job descriptions but will have other duties, Pineau said.
“They will always be a captain and a lieutenant,” he said.
To see credentials of all the people apply was pretty humbling, Chaousis said.
He congratulated all of the officers and said those who could not obtain officer positions this time will be officers in the future, he said.
Pineau plans to hold a promotion ceremony that will be open to the public.
Selectmen also voted to re-adopt the town’s personnel policy to ensure that it covers firefighters and won’t be changed with the next administration.
Chaousis is leaving Livermore Falls in late November to become town manager of Boothbay.
Selectmen voted to accept his resignation with regret.
In other business, Chaousis informed the board that Willard Parker Jr. of Jay has accepted the public works mechanic position.
Parker has experience at Morrison Motors and is currently working for Verso Paper, Chaousis said.
“He seems to have a great, team-oriented personality, and was the best available candidate,” he said.
The board set a special meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 8, to discuss an executive search for a town manager. Chairman Bill Demaray requested that an executive session be listed on the agenda in case it is needed.
The board will also discuss a law enforcement study, Chaousis has been working on.
dperry@sunjournal.com
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