Wiscasset Fire Department member of 38 years Rob Bickford has resigned as fire chief, Emergency Management Agency (EMA) director and addressing officer. In his monthly report to Town Manager Dennis Simmons, Bickford said he’ll still be a member, and will “make the transition to a new Chief as seamless as possible.”

Bickford said he appreciates the support he's had as chief, from Simmons, the selectboard and fire department officers and members. He became chief in December 2019, according to Wiscasset Newspaper files. 

“While we continue to be challenged by staffing, we have made great strides in our apparatus and equipment and I look forward to working with the new Chief in continuing to move our department forward to the future,” Bickford wrote in the report. Find it in selectmen's Sept. 15 meeting packet at wiscasset.gov 

Bickford explained, recent changes in his personal life have made it harder to do as much as the chief’s job “demands and deserves.”

Simmons also had kind words for Bickford. Simmons’ manager’s report to selectmen noted the resignation. Simmons said he appreciates Bickford’s candor and respects his decision.

“Fortunately, Rob will not be leaving the department entirely. He is a life member of the department and has dedicated 38 years to serving our community. I want to thank Rob for his six years of leadership as Fire Chief, as well as for his many years of service to the Fire Department and the Town. His commitment to the department and the community is greatly appreciated.”

Selectmen Sept. 15 were set to schedule the special town meeting on the school budget for Sept. 29; approve the warrant for it; and add the school budget validation article to the Nov. 3 town meeting warrant. 

 “Signing the (special town meeting) warrant is not an endorsement of the school budget; it is a ministerial act acknowledging the warrant, calling for the Town Meeting and posting the warrant as required by law,” Simmons wrote to the selectboard. 

This being the school committee’s third try getting a 2026-27 budget passed, Simmons described how the selectboard could commit taxes without a final school budget. 

“We normally commit taxes in time to give taxpayers approximately 30 days to pay before the due date. The failed school budget has made that difficult, particularly because the newly proposed budget is lower,” Simmons wrote. “Although the Town could commit taxes using the last approved, higher school budget, taxpayers should receive the benefit of the proposed reduction if voters approve it at the Sept. 29 school budget meeting. Waiting would allow the Town to commit taxes using the lower budget, reducing the overall tax commitment and resulting tax burden. 

“It will, however, shorten the time taxpayers have before the Oct. 22 due date established at the June Town Meeting. That said, taxpayers will not need to wait for their tax bills to arrive in the mail,” Simmons continued. “If we do the commitment on Sept. 30, beginning Oct. 2 (we need time to enter the numbers into the system), taxpayers may contact the Tax Collector to obtain the amount due and make payment. Maine law does permit the Town to commit taxes, if necessary, before the budget validation referendum. Waiting until Nov. 3 puts us well past the due date.”

Also Sept. 15, selectmen were set to consider Wiscasset Speedway’s request for its 2027 special amusement permit; and business license requests from Your Maine Catch, 806 Bath Road, selling live lobsters; and computer numerical control (CNC) manufacturer Gillespie Machine, LLC,  519 Gardiner Road. That location previously had a similar use, Simmons said.

Look for meeting results at wiscassetnewspaper.com and in the Sept. 24 print edition.

Tuesday's meeting is at 6 p.m. at the town office. Find the Zoom link on the agenda at wiscasset.gov