FARMINGTON — An investigator for the State Fire Marshal’s Office is returning to the local Police Department.

Police Chief Jack Peck got selectmen’s endorsement Tuesday of his decision to hire Edward Hastings IV of Chesterville for the sergeant’s position formerly held by Peter Barton, who retired in December.

Hastings will begin Monday working the 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. shift.

“We’re glad to have him back,” Peck said.

Hastings began his career with the department in 2004 after graduating with an associate degree in law enforcement from Southern Maine Community College. He resigned from the department in 2008 to accept the investigator position with the State Fire Marshal’s Office. He completes those duties this week.

“I’m honored to come back. Chief Peck has a good department and I’d love to be part of it,” Hastings told the board.

The sergeant’s position offers Hastings his next career step to supervisory positions, he said following the meeting.

After a nationwide search and review of applications from within the department, Hastings came out on top, Peck said.

The board unanimously confirmed the hiring and welcomed him back.

The Police Department finished its move to 116 Franklin Avenue on Tuesday, Peck said.

The chief, town manager and some selectmen met with the architect and general contractor Tuesday to go over the building and sign off on the project. Renovation work began Oct. 31 and there are just a few small items to be finished this week.

A public open house and dedication of the station as the Richard Caton III Memorial Police Station takes place at 4 p.m. Friday, April 6, Peck said.

“I’m glad you have the new space. It’s been a long time coming,” Ryan Morgan, selectman and acting chairman for the meeting, said.

He expressed appreciation to Franklin Memorial Hospital and CEO Rebecca Ryder for the gift of the building and to voters for providing the funding necessary to renovate it to fit the department’s needs.

What to do with the former space used by the department in the Municipal Building “is the $64 question,” Town Manager Richard Davis said when board members asked. 

Other departments have expressed interest in the space. Davis wants to take some time to assess options and bring the building staff together to discuss ideas. Any major changes may have to wait till next year as no funds have been budgeted for renovation of the 1,200-square-foot space.

The town’s annual meeting takes place at 7 p.m. Monday, March 19, at the Community Center. Voting takes place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Morgan seeks re-election as a selectman and Iris Silverstein seeks another term on the RSU 9 board. Each is running unopposed.

abryant@sunjournal.com