The Haines Volunteer Fire Department this month elected Brian Clay as its new chief in a close vote between two veteran finalists.
Clay defeated opponent Darwin Feakes in a vote of 32 fire department members.
The winner prevailed by two votes.
Clay, who assumes his new post on Jan. 9, inherits ongoing state budget cuts that could impact services and internal fractures over a controversial personnel move involving former employee Jenn Walsh.
In November, Albert…