Casco selectmen voted to shift dispatch services for emergency from the Naples dispatch center Tuesday, voting against the recommendations of their fire chief.

In a vote of 3-1, with one abstention, selectmen chose to switch to the Cumberland County dispatch center in Windham effective Jan. 1, 2009. The vote came two months after residents approved the dispatch budget at the town meeting and in the midst of meetings between Casco, Naples and Raymond looking in to regionalizing fire and rescue services.

“I’m disappointed with my Board of Selectmen for not giving us an opportunity to work towards a resolution on the matter,” said Casco Fire Chief John Small Wednesday, adding that the decision could affect regionalization talks. “I feel we were too early in the regionalization process to make this decision,” Small said. Casco’s contract with the Naples dispatch center expired in 2007.

The dispatch center on Route 302 in Naples opened in 1990 and currently serves Casco, Raymond, Harrison and Naples. Casco was the first to join Naples dispatch and Raymond joined most recently, using Naples for nighttime dispatch starting 18 months ago and 24-hour dispatch since last July. Effective July 1, Sebago left Naples dispatch for Standish.

How much each town pays for the service is figured through looking at the number of residents, call volume and amount of administrative work the dispatch center does for local fire and rescue departments, according to communications director Deb Plummer. Harrison pays the least at $6,500, Casco’s share is $52,000, Raymond’s is $60,000 and Naples pays $120,000.

At the Aug. 5 selectmen’s meeting in Casco, Selectman Barbara York said that Cumberland County dispatch officials quoted $20,000-22,000 a year for services.

“I’m very disappointed that Casco is pulling out right now,” Plummer said, citing concern about the employees, how the rest of the towns will pick up the cost and the effect on regionalization talks.