MINOT — Selectmen on Monday appointed Dean Campbell as the town’s new fire chief.

Following the vote to appoint, Steve French, who has served as fire chief since 1985, handed the chief’s badge over to Campbell.

“You’re the new ‘Fire One.’ I’m really pleased we could have such a smooth transition,” French said.

French announced last fall that he would be stepping down when his term expired in March. A little over a week ago members of the West Minot Fire Company voted to recommend that the selectmen appoint Campbell to be chief and fire warden. He has been an active volunteer with the department for a number of years.

Selectmen also met with Lisa Cesare of the Recreation Committee to discuss progress made at last week’s joint meeting involving members of the town Recreation Committtee, the Minot Enrichment Committee, the Minot-Hebron Athletic Association and the town Conservation Commission.

The meeting had been called to resolve difficulties relating to new play fields and programs and the need for better coordination of efforts.

Cesare noted that her group’s original mission was to develop the new play fields and walking trails, but someone has to be in charge of overall policy, facility maintenance and scheduling.

Selectmen agreed.

“Everyone needs to know who is in charge of what. There has to be someone in charge,” Campbell said.

Cesare told selectmen that they, as holders of the town purse, should become directly involved in discussions.

Selectmen directed Town Administrator Arlan Saunders to set up a meeting that includes the board.

In other business, selectmen awarded the bid for plow/body gear for the town’s new Peterbuilt 10-wheeler truck to Tenco of Berwick. Tenco’s bid of $59,855 was the lowest of three received.

Selectmen also signed a contract for assessment equalization with John E. O’Donnell & Associates for $63,750. Townspeople raised half of that amount at each of the past two annual town meetings, with the actual work of doing a comprehensive review of property valuations scheduled to take place this year.

Tripp also told the board that she has been contacted recently by a Post Office review coordinator, who informed her that the status of the West Minot Post Office is under review for possible consolidation. She noted that the review is in its infancy and that nothing will happen without plenty of public input, which she said she expected “might be considerable.”