Lubec grapples with curtailing increase in vandalism, thefts

Responding to claims of a surge in vandalism, speeding, property damage and theft, Washington County Sheriff Barry Curtis and Chief Deputy Michael Crabtree spoke to a full house during the September 1 meeting of the Lubec Select Board. They had been invited following comments made by Selectman Jason Evasius during the board's previous meeting, held August 18, when he stated that he had "heard from many people in town" about these incidents, two of which he claimed involved stolen ATVs.
Curtis pointed out that he did not bring current statistics but stated that since the first of the year he had received 94 calls from Lubec, including ambulance calls and all other matters, and that that number did not seem out of line. When several members of the audience pointed out that they had been following discussions on social media that suggested otherwise, both officers replied that they do not follow unofficial sources and that only matters presented through calls to either the dispatch center or the emergency response center at 911 are logged into the system and become trackable and can trigger action. At one point, Crabtree pointed out, "If a crime is not reported, it is not a crime," urging a call even if an immediate response is not requested. Patrol patterns are based on reports of incidents, he said.
Additionally, the use of social media can also foil ongoing law enforcement activities, said Curtis. "When it goes out on the Internet where we are, it defeats our efforts."
The discussion shifted to the question, asked by many, of what would be needed to obtain more law enforcement coverage in the town. When Selectman Nancy Harrison asked about assistance from the Maine State Police, Crabtree replied, "The who?" triggering laughter. Curtis added that the state had been asking the sheriff's office to take on more of the burden. He also mentioned the situation in Machias -- which currently has no police department -- and several other Washington County towns that are having difficulties. "I can't promise you more coverage," he said, "even if you allocate more funds."
The town, during the annual town meeting, for many years has allocated $5,000 for "sheriff selective enforcement," which typically is not fully spent. Ten years ago, following the 2011 town meeting, the town charged an ad hoc committee with investigating the possibility of reinstituting the long disbanded Lubec Police Department; that committee found that the cost would be unacceptably high, and the effort was abandoned.
When board Chair Carol Dennison asked about the possibility of the town paying to hire an additional deputy to be assigned to Lubec, Curtis replied, "That's something we can talk about." The first year cost, he said, would be around $150,000, which includes salary, benefits, training, a patrol car and other expenses. This would fall to "about $97,000 for the second year," he said, then pointing out that following the third year the vehicle would require replacement. He stated that this would require a long term commitment because "I have zero interest in putting together something that will fail."
Evasius then observed, "If we can blow $45,000 on the recycling center, we should be able to do this for public safety." Dennison replied that, since the town was about three weeks from the finalization of the annual tax commitment, it would not be possible to shift funds that quickly. She pointed out that state law requires that the unallocated funds be retained at above a minimum level, so that an additional $100,000 would "be required from the taxpayers." This process, she pointed out, requires proper public notification, a public hearing, then a special town meeting allowing voters to make the decision. When Harrison asked for a show of hands of those supporting this process, she noted that "about half" of those in attendance were in favor. Dennison stated that a public hearing would be set up to review the suggestion.
Other business In other business, the board voted 5-0 to dissolve the ad hoc committee set up several years ago to investigate the possibility of withdrawing the Lubec school from AOS 77, leaving the MSAD and RSU structures intact. "They haven't met in over a year," she said. No member of the committee was present; the matter was listed on the posted agenda under "old business."
The board also reviewed contract negotiations with NexAMP Inc., which proposes to construct a solar farm on rented town owned property behind the town maintenance garage. Dennison repeated the requirement that the facility not be visible from either Route 189 or the nearby waterway. This requirement had been in an earlier draft but missing from the updated version, which had been amended to be in compliance with new state regulations. The board chose to pursue a 20 year contract with the possibility of an extension instead of the 40 year commitment preferred by NexAMP.
A public hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15, immediately prior to the start of the next select board meeting, to review changes to the General Assistance Ordinance, as required by the state.
In an unscheduled meeting, held August 27, the board agreed to hire Ruby Fry as part time counter clerk, to begin work on September 3. Fry is a former Lubec resident now living in Trescott, said Town Administrator Renee Gray. During the same meeting the board accepted an offer by the Northern Aroostook Regional Airport to purchase used runway lights for the municipal airport. The lights, valued at $14,000, will be purchased for $3,000. Users of the Lubec airport -- the beneficiaries of the upgrade -- are being solicited to help pay the installation costs. The current lights are over 50 years old, said Gray.