By Emma Bouthillette 

Staff Writer

Kennebunk Deputy Fire and Rescue Chief David “Duffy” Cluff announced his resignation Jan.19 and the search to fill the position has already begun. 

Cluff, who opened Duffy’s Tavern on Main Street in Kennebunk in October, said he was working nearly 17 hours a day, seven days a week between the restaurant and his duties as deputy chief. He said he worked his regular hours at the fire station, then worked at the restaurant during the dinner rush.

He said he also had to balance attending selectmen meetings in the evening when items on the agenda were relevant to his department. 

“It was becoming too much and one had to go,” Cluff said. “The business requires a lot of my attention, and I’m very happy with the results.”

After eight years serving the town as deputy fire and rescue chief and 10 years working in the police department, Cluff’s official last day is March 20.

Cluff said he originally planned to stay with the department for two more years, but giving nearly two months notice will allow the town time to fill the position.

“It’s a big job with a lot of responsibility,” Cluff said. “I could have given two weeks notice, but that wouldn’t have been fair to the rest of the employees. There are still a lot of great people working in the department.”

The full-time position has already been advertised, and Cluff said the town has already received several resumes.

At the selectmen meeting Jan. 27, Town Manager Barry Tibbetts announced an amendment to the hiring freeze he instituted in early December to allow the town to find a replacement for Cluff. 

“The duties for this position cannot be absorbed by the current staff,” Tibbetts said. 

In advertising the position, Tibbetts edited the job description to redistribute some duties, and said he anticipates filling the position by the end of March.