The Buxton fire chief has resigned less than a year after picking up the reins in December, months after a former chief quit.

In a letter Aug. 29, Chief Jim Graves told selectmen he regretted leaving the post, citing personal reasons. “I have issues with my family,” Graves said Tuesday. “I needed to put my family first.”

Jean Harmon, chairwoman of selectmen, said Tuesday, that the board is “very saddened” by Graves’ resignation. “He’s been an outstanding chief,” Harmon said.

Graves informed Buxton firefighters last week of his decision after submitting the letter.

Selectmen named Graves, 38, of Winslow, last year from a field of 11 applicants for the job. Graves was the lead fire inspector for the Waterville Fire Department. “It’s a blow to us,” Selectman Bob Libby said last week. “He’s a pro firefighter.”

Graves said his last day as Buxton chief would be Friday, Sept. 28. He has accepted a position in the “safety realm” at Bowdoin College in Brunswick. He starts there Oct. 1.

Graves replaced Jeff Grinnell, who stunned the community in July last year when he resigned with only three days notice. Grinnell, who served seven years as chief, also gave personal reasons for resigning.

Before accepting the Buxton chief’s job, Graves had been a firefighter, emergency medical technician and a hazardous materials instructor. Besides nine years as a firefighter in New Hampshire, he’d been with the Waterville department 13 years.

Buxton advertised for a new fire/rescue chief this week. The town said starting salary is $46,800, the amount approved in town meeting this year for the chief’s job. A year ago, the town quoted the salary in an advertisement as $848 a week, adding up to $44,096 a year. The town is also offering a “generous” benefit package. The town supplies the chief with a car.

Last year, Buxton advertised the post in July and received 19 applications from several states. But the top two choices turned down offers in late August, causing Buxton selectman to begin a new search.

Libby said last summer the two candidates decided not to move to Buxton. Libby said both candidates would have lost pension benefits if they relocated from Connecticut.

Graves and his wife have been living in Hollis Center. They have a two-year-old daughter. Graves said he’s moving his family back to the Augusta area where the father of his two step-children lives and where they go to school. He said the move eliminates traveling for his wife. “I’ll be the one on the interstate,” Graves said.

A native of Madison, N.H., Graves said when he accepted the job he liked Buxton because it reminded him of his hometown and he was familiar with Buxton because he once had family living in a nearby town. “I love it,” Graves said Tuesday about Buxton.

He said the decision to resign marked both the toughest and easiest decision in his life. He said it was the toughest because the chief’s job represented years of hard work but at the same time was the easiest because the decision involved his family.

Graves said he has appreciated the support of selectmen, the town and the community. “They’ll all be sorely missed,” he said.

Buxton has three fire stations. Besides Bar Mills, the town has the Chicopee Fire Station and the Groveville Fire Station. Gene Harmon, Merle “Mac” McLaughlin and Greg Jones are veteran deputy chiefs. Graves said the Buxton department has officers capable of stepping up in his absence.

Jean Harmon said the town would appoint an interim chief if the position hasn’t been filled by Sept. 28. Last year, Gene Harmon served as an interim chief until Graves was named.

Libby said although Graves has resigned he has offered to help the town. Libby said Graves has done an “excellent, absolutely top grade” job.

Jean Harmon also praised Graves. She said he has done an outstanding job in every aspect including training and in keeping the department compliant to state safety standards.

Graves asked selectmen in his letter if they felt there were any unresolved issues. If so, he would discuss them with selectmen but Jean Harmon said she is unaware of any.

In his resignation letter, Graves said it was with regret. “After much reflection and soul searching, I have come to this decision,” Graves wrote.

Cutline