When Wiscasset voters go to the polls on June 8, they will be asked to fund a police department budget that includes a police chief and approve waterfront ordinance changes, among the many other items on the ballot.
During the public hearing of the annual town warrant Tuesday night before the Wiscasset Board of Selectmen, some comments and questions raised from the approximately 25 residents in attendance focused on the police department budget article and the proposed ordinance changes.
A resident asked why the Wiscasset Budget Committee voted against (one to five opposed) the police department budget article of $331,510. Three members of the committee responded.
“Members of the committee wanted to see the 24-hour [law enforcement] coverage,” committee chair Steve Mehrl said. “We thought that was a more reasonable purchase for the money.”
Several of those present voiced agreement about understanding the option of hiring two part-time officers instead of a police chief would cost approximately $20,000 less for the town.
The addition of two part-time officers (an additional $36,400) would provide the 24- hour coverage, with the part-time assistance of a patrolman who has yet to retire.
Selectman Phillip DiVece clarified that the town would be required to pay retirement benefits to the two part-time officers if their work for the town exceeded 1000 hours (roughly 20 hours per week).
The cost for a police chief (at most $81,000) was an estimated amount suggested for a community the size of Wiscasset, board chair Bob Blagden said. The amount saved from the patrolman who plans to retire would be subtracted from the total cost of a police chief, he said, adding the difference equals roughly $20,000.
Selectman Robert Fairfield confirmed the cost of the police budget on the warrant ($331,510) would pay for a police chief and two full-time officers. DiVece added residents would need to vote the article down if they agreed with the budget committee’s recommendation. If the article were to be voted down, the question would go back before the board of selectmen to consider other options.
Jeffery Hinderliter, Wiscasset Town Planner, was asked to explain the reasons behind the proposed changes to the waterfront ordinances. He said change’s intent was to adopt standards that would be more appropriate for the waterfront area before the state sets requirements for the town.
The state mandates certain setback regulations for shoreland zoning and it has been up to towns throughout Lincoln County to make amendments in response to the new laws.
Hinderliter said the proposed changes, approved in advance of mandates from the state, would establish guidelines that would be more flexible for landowners.
There will be a public hearing on all of the proposed ordinance changes on Mon., May 10, starting at 7 p.m. in the Wiscasset Town Office meeting room.
