Tunbridge board backs Fire Chief's permit routing and will draft letter to state officials

Selectboard members on July 3 endorsed Fire Chief Simon Bradford's decision to direct burn-permit requests to Commissioner Danielle Fitzko at the Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation until the State provides clearer liability guidance.

Simon Bradford told the board he had "written to the State asking for clear guidance on liability, including whether Fire Chiefs are covered under municipal or state protections when acting as Forest Fire Wardens and has not received answers." The Selectboard expressed support for his approach and asked staff to work with local wardens and chiefs to prepare a letter to the Governor and/or Commissioner Fitzko outlining the town's concerns.

Clerk John O'Brien asked Aileen Lem to coordinate the draft with Brenda Field, Bradford and John Durkee and place it on the July 14 agenda. The minutes record that the Selectboard agreed to that plan.

Separately, Simon Bradford requested a more formal road-closure notification process and showed an E911 map as an example; staff agreed to coordinate with the road crew and fire department to implement a notification procedure.