The Damariscotta Board of Selectmen will meet twice next week to review and vote on Lincoln County’s forthcoming proposal to provide police services in Damariscotta.
Damariscotta Town Manager Matt Lutkus expects to receive the proposal tomorrow.
The selectmen will review the proposal Monday, Aug. 27 at 5 p.m. and will meet again Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 5 p.m. to decide whether to place a charter amendment before the citizens, possibly for an Election Day vote.
The selectmen meet at the Damariscotta Municipal Building at 21 School St. All meetings are open to the public. A formal public hearing and information sessions would take place later in the process if the selectmen decide to move forward.
The citizens would have to approve an amendment to Damariscotta’s charter to allow the town to contract for police services.
Lutkus asked Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett June 11 to submit a proposal for his office to provide 24/7 police services in Damariscotta. If voters approve the charter amendment, the selectmen could contract with the county and eliminate the Damariscotta Police Department.
Damariscotta Town Manager Matt Lutkus explained the request in an Aug. 23 e-newsletter.
The intent, he wrote, is to determine whether a contract with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office would “eliminate inefficiencies,” save money and maintain “a high level of police protection and quick response.”
The request does not reflect negatively on the department, Damariscotta Police Chief Chad Andrews or department personnel, he wrote.
Andrews, however, has pointed out that the town manager and the selectmen have not involved him in the process.
In June, Lutkus notified Andrews of the initial request by e-mail and some officers did not know about the request until the publication of an article in The Lincoln County News.
Andrews also said he was not notified of an Aug. 21 meeting of Lutkus, the selectmen, the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners and Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett.
Andrews has said he believes the community supports the department.
He has received calls, e-mails and letters from Damariscotta citizens, visitors and business owners to this effect, as well as comments from people he meets on patrol.
