CLINTON - The city of Clinton has a new fire chief.

Assistant Chief Shaun Milton will assume the job left vacant since the November death of Jeff Pearl following a split vote from the City Council on Monday night.

Commissioners John Wise and Bryan Hickman voted against the nomination from Public Safety Commissioner Jerry Milton. Commissioner Tom Edmunds and Mayor Ed Wollet joined Milton in favor of the nomination.

"This was a hard decision to make as far as I was concerned," said Jerry Milton, who is the father of Shaun. "There were a lot of pros and cons with this and there still are. I took a lot of factors into this including the help we received from the state fire marshal's office. Some of things that went into the decision were based on attendance and abilities."

Edmunds said he had concerns about the cohesiveness of the department under Shaun Milton's leadership.

"He has a lot of education and a lot of experience, and I have heard from many firefighters that they would rather not have anyone else back them up besides Shaun," Edmunds said. "But it is widely known there have been two general factions in the department, and I am a little hesitant about my decision because I wonder if there will be a continuation of that."

Hickman noted that Shaun Milton has been an assistant chief with Brian Armstrong since November and the division within the department is still there. Among the concerns is a lack of firefighters available for day-time calls.

"What is adding a different title going to change about his abilities to end those problems that have already existed?" Hickman asked.

Wise said he would prefer a candidate with no ties to the department.

"There are times when it's like the Hatfields and McCoys in that department, and my preference is to seek a third party with no ties who can start fresh and can make the department go," he said.

Wollet said the city has been without a chief for too long.

"I just believe that it is time we move on," Wollet said. "I voted my conscience."

Jerry Milton said the department is considering new applicants for the squad to help with calls during the daytime hours. That is something that Shaun will begin working on immediately.

Shaun Milton is expected to be sworn in at the next council meeting. I had already been decided to make the position part time, but the council may consider expanding it in the future.