FARMINGTON —  The Board of Selectmen confirmed the hiring of Philip C. Hutchins as the town’s new public works director.

Hutchins begins the job on March 14. He will work with Director Denis Castonguay for a couple of weeks before he retires, Town Manager Richard Davis said at the Tuesday meeting.

Castonguay agreed to stay on as director until April when the town did not find the right replacement last fall. 

A committee chose Hutchins from nine applicants interviewed, Davis said. 

Hutchins told the board that he grew up in Jay but now lives in Farmington. He has experience in the construction field with a company in southern Maine and as a work supervisor.

Hutchins has an associate degree from a Calais school now known as Washington County Community College, Davis said.

He has worked as a supervisor for E.L. Vining and Son in Farmington and has worked for Shaw Brothers Construction in Gorham. He has experience with construction equipment.

Hutchins is currently working in Farmington at the Harvest House, a restaurant owned by his parents, Davis said.

In other business:

* The board set a public meeting to discuss the personnel shortage in the Fire/Rescue Department for March 16, at 6:30 p.m., at the Community Center.

Fire Chief Terry Bell requested the meeting prior to the annual town meeting set for March 28, to help people understand the situation the department is facing. A better understanding will help citizens make an educated decision, Bell said.

An article in the town warrant requests $434,492, for the department to cover wages and benefits for four full-time firefighters for the rest of year, or 39 weeks.

Selectmen recommend that the same amount as last year, $401,513, be appropriated for the department while the Budget Committee recommends the full amount requested.

Bell has invited community members to come to his office to talk about the need and the proposed solution, but few have responded. He would even go their homes to talk with them, he said.

“It is very complex,” Bell said. “I don’t have the answer.”

Selectman Michael Fogg questioned whether people understand, because other departments throughout the state are facing a similar problem in recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters.

Some citizens have said they don’t understand what the Fire Department does, Deputy Chief Tim Hardy said.

“This is a community problem, not just your problem,” Selectman Matthew Smith said. “The community needs to be involved in how we move forward.”

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