CORINTH – Residents now have a full-time fire chief, after approving the position at Tuesday night’s annual town meeting.

Residents also voted in favor of the proposed municipal budget as recommended by the budget committee and Board of Selectmen, which will mean a slight increase in property taxes.

There was some discussion Tuesday about what would be gained by changing from a part-time to a full-time fire chief, as a few residents had questions about what benefits the position would bring to the town.

“It’s hard for us now more than ever to get people to respond [to emergency calls], especially during the day,” Corinth volunteer firefighter and resident Peter Bragdon said.

The Corinth Fire Department, which encompasses all fire, rescue and emergency response services for the town, is a volunteer department. Bragdon explained that the department’s members have full-time jobs that often make it difficult for them to respond in the daytime.

Last year, the department responded to 404 calls, which is an increase from the 330 calls volunteers responded to in 2004.

After approving the position, residents elected current part-time Fire Chief Scott Bragdon as full-time chief.

Until now, Scott Bragdon has had to leave his regular full-time job to respond to calls.

“It’s getting to the point where it’s asking too much,” Peter Bragdon said, adding that the town has been fortunate that his nephew’s employer has allowed him to leave work when necessary.

The town’s emergency medical service acts as a first responder with backup service from Mayo Ambulance. The wait for an ambulance to get to Corinth from Bangor or Dover-Foxcroft to transport residents is about 20 minutes.

“That 20 minutes is just critical,” Peter Bragdon said.

In addition to being able to respond to emergency medical calls that come into the station, the chief will be responsible for administrative duties dealing with the department, taking care of the equipment and building, and conducting local inspections.

“He’s going to be in the community more,” Peter Bragdon said.

The fire chief’s salary and benefits package is approximately $40,000 per year, based on a full year of service.

The position is scheduled to go into effect April 3.

As for their coming tax bills, residents can expect to see an increase.

Based on the approved $326,109 municipal budget and estimated $852,245 school budget, town officials anticipate the mill rate will increase from last year’s $11.40 per $1,000 of taxable property valuation to about $13.

Last year’s municipal budget was $177,207.

The majority of the increase proposed this year is for repaving projects throughout town, Town Manager Don Strout said. The full-time fire chief position will raise taxes about 2 cents per $1,000 of property valuation.

There also is a nearly $3,000 increase in county taxes.

The estimated school budget, which isn’t final until after town meeting, is expected to decrease from last year’s $860,475.