Lubec eyes policing options with ending of sheriff’s contract
“Last night was the first time anybody on the board heard of this,” stated Lubec Select Board Chairman William Daye, during the regularly scheduled meeting on May 24.
“Last night was the first time anybody on the board heard of this," stated Lubec Select Board Chairman William Daye, during the regularly scheduled meeting on May 24. Washington County Sheriff Donnie Smith, a Lubec resident, told the board during the May 23 budget meeting, according to Daye, that he would be unable to fulfill contractual obligations for the upcoming budget year because of staffing issues and therefore would not offer to renew the contract.
Lubec is the only municipality within Washington County that continues to pay the sheriff's department for additional coverage; other towns have either established their own police department or share sheriff and Maine State Police coverage with others.
Following the 2011 town meeting, the select board established an ad‑hoc committee to investigate the costs involved if the town decided to establish a municipal police department. According to Town Administrator John Sutherland, this committee met for several months but has not met recently. As of June 1 the committee "has not set a new meeting date, but will soon," said Sutherland.
Options previously examined by the committee include the location of office space, the size of the force, pay scale for patrol officers, uniform costs and other one‑time and recurring expenses. "Patrolmen would get between $14 and $16 per hour," Sutherland said, "depending on experience." Additionally, newly hired officers will be required to attend the police academy.
During the August 2011 Lubec town meeting, voters approved a one‑year contract with the sheriff's department for $173,860, which included two deputies. The proposed public works garage, which will be the subject of a special town meeting to be held on Wednesday, June 20, does not include space appropriate for police operations.
"This is not a green light for crime," said Daye, adding, "For the most part, this will not affect anyone here." The current contract runs through the end of June. "We have been assured coverage for the Fourth of July," said Selectman Sara McConnell.
The loss of sheriff's department coverage will not have any effect on ambulance or fire department activities, Daye stated.