The chief fireward or fire chief shall be paid for services such compensation as the council, aldermen or town meeting shall think reasonable; and the bills for the operation of the fire department, including but not limited to costs of apparatus and equipment, shall be approved or disapproved by the fire chief, fireward or engineer responsible and, if approved, shall be presented for payment to those town officials designated for this purpose by statute, local ordinance or town meeting within the limits of the funds appropriated.