Along with deciding Westport Island’s municipal spending for the next year, the annual town meeting June 27 was a chance for residents to publicly express their thanks and pride for the service some have given the town.

The Westport Volunteer Fire Department, the Tax Map Committee and Treasurer, Tax Collector and Administrative Assistant Susan Partelow all drew praise; and Partelow introduced her successor, Martha Hayward, who will take over the positions when Partelow retires later this year.

Hayward currently serves as Partelow’s deputy.

Partelow and husband Jerry Partelow plan to retire to Ecuador. “We’re sorry to see her and her husband go, and hope they have a fun time in their retirement,” First Selectman George Richardson said during the meeting.

Also Saturday, Richardson praised members of the Tax Map Committee. Their work saved the town $20,000, he said.

At the start of the meeting at town hall, Deputy Fire Chief Jason Abbott accepted a Maine flag on the fire department’s behalf, from Maine District 13 Sen. Chris Johnson, D - Somerville. The flag came with a certificate stating that it had been flown over the State House at Johnson’s request.

Abbott later reflected on the extensive training that department members have undertaken. He told fellow residents that nine of the department’s members are now interior-certified, meaning they can go inside buildings to fight fires; and the department’s team of first responders will soon have six emergency medical technicians.

“That’s good, but I’m not ready to relax yet,” Abbott said.

Plans call for further training of the department’s members as well as continued efforts to recruit new ones. The emphasis on training seems to be helping the department keep members, he added in an interview later.

Abbott told meeting-goers that the members show commitment to their service. “I’m very proud of them, and the town is very lucky to have them.”