NORWAY  — Residents will be asked to vote whether the fire chief should remain an elected position or if town officials should be given discretion over whom to hire, after selectmen approved placing the measure on November’s ballot on Thursday, Aug. 4. 

Norway residents currently vote for the fire chief, but selectmen want to change that to give the town more authority over the hiring process.

Selectmen say appointing a town manager will bring greater accountability to the job. They also worried that a popular but unqualified candidate will be worse off for the town. 

Dennis Yates, the current fire chief, endorsed the change. According to July 7 meeting minutes, Yates said there are pros and cons to the decision. The fire department stopped electing captains and lieutenants because it had become a popularity contest. On the other hand, he said there were plenty of capable people in the department. 

Yates, who wasn’t in attendance at Thursday evening’s meeting, has served within the fire department for more than 43 years, seven of them in the top spot. If approved, the hiring process would change in June 2018, when Yates’ term expires. It’s unclear if Yates intends to retire, or will seek to hold onto the job. 

On Thursday, Town Manager David Holt said after consulting with the Maine Municipal Association, which advises municipalities, he’d come to believe it was the right decision.

“The question is appropriate to ask voters,” Holt said. “If you look around at some of the news stories in the state, you see examples of fire chiefs who perhaps shouldn’t have been appointed or had errors in judgment. When elected it’s hard to do anything with them, unless they’re recalled.”

In the past, Holt has expressed concerns that the change could alienate veteran, volunteer firefighters interested in the job. While he said he had “great respect” for volunteers, a more formal process would allow for background checks and competency testing, Holt said. 

“You want the ability to remove them,” he said. With an elected chief, Holt worried about a sour relationship with town officials. When it came to candidates, he said he preferred locals, whom he said are more likely to stay. 

Officials chose to act before the expiration of Yates’ term as they’re anticipating a large voter turnout for the presidential election. The question will be placed on a separate sheet of paper with other local ballot questions.

Shirley Boyce, the Town Clerk, disagreed with the timing, expressing concerns the move would be cumbersome for clerks come November. With more than one ballot and a high turnout, Boyce expected they’d have to rent another ballot machine.

“It’s easier to put a man on the moon,” she joked.

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