SKOWHEGAN — A new Somerset County commissioner says he intends to take a close look at the possibility of creating a county fire department that would serve several communities.

Former Madison and Skowhegan Selectman Cyprien Johnson said he’s interested in considering a county fire department, an idea that was discussed last summer with officials from Skowhegan, Fairfield and Good Will-Hinckley.

Johnson, who served on the Madison Board of Selectmen until June, when he did not run for re-election, said the idea is “a work in progress down the road” but it would make sense to locate such a department in or near Skowhegan, the county seat.

Johnson’s comments came Wednesday when the Somerset County Commissioners welcomed him and another new board member during their first meeting of the year. Johnson and Robert Sezak, a former chairman of the Fairfield Town Council, took their seats Wednesday afternoon at the commission table, joining Commissioners Newell Graf, Lloyd Trafton and Dean Cray.

Both Johnson and Sezak won elections in November.

Johnson takes over for departing former commission Vice Chairman Robert Dunphy, of Embden, who did not seek re-election. Johnson beat Starks Selectman Paul Frederic in a two-way race for the seat.

Sezak takes over for longtime Commissioner and one-time Fairfield Councilor Philip N. Roy Jr., also of Fairfield, who did not seek re-election in November. Sezak was unopposed on the November ballot.

Johnson was sworn in Wednesday by Dunphy, acting in his role as a dedimus justice. A dedimus justice has only one duty, and that is to administer the oath of office to persons elected or appointed to a civil office.

Sezak was sworn in Dec. 29 by another dedimus justice at the Fairfield Town Office.

Wednesday’s organizational meeting of the five-member county commissioners was led by County Administrator Dawn DiBlasi, who turned over proceedings to Graf after he was nominated chairman of the commission. The vote was unanimous.

Commissioner Lloyd Trafton was elected vice chairman, also in a unanimous vote. Graf and Trafton were appointed to the union negotiations team. Sezak was named to the Council on Legal Educational Opportunities board and Trafton to the Somerset Economic Development Corp.

The commission sets policies for the county and oversees departments such as the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office and the court system and develops the annual budget with department heads and the county Budget Committee.

Sezak said that with the increase in the agricultural movement in Somerset County, he would like to “elevate the profile” of the Cooperative Extension Service in the county.

“Seeing that where we are becoming more and more of an agricultural-based county, especially with Kennebec Valley Community College and the charter schools, to see all that tie in and work,” he said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for students, faculty and the Extension Service as well.”

Somerset County commissioner districts are as follows:

District 1: Robert Sezak, of Fairfield, including Fairfield and Norridgewock.

District 2: Cyprien Johnson, of Madison, including Anson, Madison, Mercer, New Portland, Smithfield and Starks.

District 3: Dean A. Cray, of Palmyra, including Cambridge, Detroit, Palmyra, Pittsfield, Ripley and St. Albans.

District 4: Newell Graf Jr., of Skowhegan, including Canaan and Skowhegan.

District 5: Lloyd Trafton, of The Forks, including Athens, Bingham, Brighton Plantation, Caratunk, Concord Township,

Cornville, Dennistown Plantation, Embden, Harmony, Hartland, Jackman, Lexington, Moose River, Moscow, Pleasant Ridge, Solon, The Forks, West Forks and all unorganized townships in Somerset County.

Doug Harlow — 612-2367

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Twitter:@Doug_Harlow