Damariscotta voters will decide on Election Day whether to approve a town charter amendment that would authorize the Damariscotta Board of Selectmen to close the town’s police department and contract for law enforcement.
A ‘yes’ vote would approve the amendment. The board of selectmen would gain the authority they are asking for and, according to Town Manager Matt Lutkus, start negotiations with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, which has submitted a proposal to replace the police department with contract deputies.
A ‘no’ vote would reject the amendment and the police department would remain in place.
The charter currently requires the town to have a police department with a full-time chief and other personnel as necessary. The amendment would make this the selectmen’s option.
The amendment would not guarantee that the police department would close, as the selectmen would make the final decision.
A majority of the selectmen, however, have supported cuts to the police department, and the board’s stated goal in negotiating with an outside agency or firm is to save money.
Lutkus has repeatedly said the town would receive similar service if it closes the police department and contracts with the county.
The town would not, however, have a police chief, administrative assistant or police station, as all administration would take place at the sheriff’s office in Wiscasset.
Even Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett has acknowledged that the change would come with “a sacrifice,” meaning the loss of personnel, the station and the “hometown feel” a municipal police department can provide.
Lutkus has said if the town approves the changes, he plans to close the station, lease it out and house the contract deputies in a small room inside the town office that would not be open to the public.
The exact amount of money the town might save differs depending on a number of variables.
The Lincoln County News estimates the first-year savings at $78,889.96 if the selectmen authorize the department to fill the vacant position.
If the selectmen approve a proposal by Chief Andrews to change a full-time position for a patrol officer to a half-time position, the figure would drop, by the News’ estimate, to $45,776.57 or less.
Lutkus and other town officials have said that, if the town does save money on law enforcement, it would not necessarily result in a tax decrease, as the selectmen might choose to spend it elsewhere.
Dozens of Damariscotta residents and business owners attended a series of public meetings about the charter amendment, with almost all saying they oppose closing the police department.
A recurring theme of the hearings was the local control the town would lose if it contracts for law enforcement.
At public hearings, no one spoke in favor of eliminating the police department, although a few did say they support the selectmen for trying to save money.
Chief Andrews, who opposes the charter amendment, said he and his officers know the town, know its people and serve it well. He said he was willing to work on the budget with the selectmen, but they chose to seek a proposal from the county instead.
