MONMOUTH — Andre Poulin’s eight-year run as the town’s fire chief will come to an end next month.

Poulin, 49, gave his resignation letter to selectmen during last week’s regular meeting, making his departure effective Feb. 9.

Monmouth firefighters last week voted to promote Dan Roy Jr. from assistant chief to chief. Selectmen will be asked to approve the promotion during next week’s meeting.

Poulin said his responsibilities operating Birches Campground in Litchfield spurred his decision to resign.

“We’re looking to do an expansion over there and it’s a real time constraint,” Poulin said. “I have the time right now, but once we start the expansion I won’t have the time. I put in about 15 hours a week. That’s just on the administrative end. That doesn’t include responding to calls.”

Poulin said he plans to continue to volunteer with the department.

“It’s definitely going to be a transition,” he said. “I think it will be good fro the community and for the department.”

Poulin joined the Monmouth Fire Department in 1984, four years after moving to town. He took over the chief’s position in 2004 after the retirement of longtime firefighter Paul Fox.

Poulin praised his firefighters for their commitment to training and maintaining equipment.

“We have such a good dynamic,” he said. “It’s such a good group. The group works well together.”

Poulin has spent the past year preparing the department of his departure. Roy, who was been with the department since 2004, has shadowed Poulin during that time, learning the day-to-day operations. Roy was involved in the budget process and has attended meetings.

“This is as smooth a transition as we can do,” Poulin said.

Roy, a former investigator with the State Fire Marshal’s Office, runs his own fire investigation business.

“I think he has the background for it and he has the time needed to do it,” Poulin said. “He ran unopposed. He was the only one the department felt was talented enough to take over.”

Keeping up with state and federal regulations for training and filing reports have become increasingly challenging, Poulin said.

“In the last 10 years requirements for firefighters have gone up a lot,” Poulin said. “For chiefs, they’ve gone up even more.”

Craig Crosby — 621-5642

ccrosby@centralmaine.com