Fire Chief

This may seem like a foolish question, but why do the selectmen have to "vote to allow" the Fire Chief of Rumford to speak at the meetings. I understand that Chief Wentzell doesn"t LIVE in Rumford, but he IS the Fire Chief. The selectmen voted to have him as Chief. It seems to me, that if he is the head of a town department, that he should be able to speak without having to be "allowed". Within proper order and decorum, of course.