Tuesday's election will be the last one that will determine a member of Onset Fire Department's Board of Engineers. Attendees of the Onset Fire District's annual meeting Monday voted to allow the district's Prudential Committee to appoint the Fire Chief and two assistant engineers beginning on July 1.

"Let the men that are [in the department] do their job and stay out of politics," said Prudential Committee member Jovina Dean. Dean said that about 90 percent of Massachusetts towns appoint their Board of Engineers.

The three-member Prudential Committee oversees the finances of the Onset Fire District.

Proponents of the change cited the fact that having the positions be decided by election could usher unqualified candidates into the offices.

"I think we need to step up and say that we want our firemen to be competent," said resident Nancy Miller.

But opponents argued that the change would put too much power into the hands of the Prudential Committee.

"We're politicians. We really are," said Prudential Committee member Robert Maxim. "And all it takes is two people, a small clique, and we have the power to put whoever we want in those positions."

Maxim is running for the First Assistant Engineer position in Tuesday's election.

The election, which features a four-way race for the First Assistant Engineer position, will continue as scheduled. In addition to Maxim, candidates Jeffrey Dias, William Ellis, and Michael Hodge are vying for the position vacated by Gene Crocker, who is retiring.

The change takes effect on July 1. Current engineers, including the winner of Tuesday's election, will be appointed to indefinite terms in their respective positions at that time.