Wiscasset selectmen Oct. 20 made Deputy Fire Chief John Merry interim fire chief and emergency management agency director. Robert Bickford resigned from both offices this fall with plans to stay on the department he has been part of for 38 years. 

Town Manager Dennis Simmons’ written report, released ahead of the meeting, said fire department members have decided to wait until June to elect the next chief, and Merry has agreed to both interim posts. 

Also Oct. 20, selectmen made Code Enforcement Officer George Chase the 911 addressing officer, another duty Bickford had served. Simmons said Bickford took it on years ago when a CEO at the time asked to not do it. “At that time, the Code Enforcement Officer position was part-time, and the Fire Chief did not maintain regular office hours. This sometimes made it difficult for residents to obtain a 911 address. With the Code Enforcement Officer now maintaining regular office hours four days a week, returning these duties to that office should provide more consistent and timely service,” Simmons wrote. 

In other action, selectmen accepted T Buck Construction’s $4,520,812 bid for the pump station improvements project, contingent on some documents’ submission. In a five-minute special town meeting before the board meeting, voters, without debate, agreed to spend up to $345,200 in capital reserve toward a match to an Environmental Protection Agency grant for the work. 

In public comment, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kim Andersson reminded residents they decide the 2026-27 school budget offer Nov. 3. Two other tries lost in June and September. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 3 at Wiscasset Community Center. 

A hearing on the Nov. 3 ballot drew no questions or comment. 

The board named Mary Finn and Dennis Wehrly to the ad hoc wastewater treatment plant outreach advisory committee.