WASHBURN, Maine — A vote for residents to decide the fate of local policing was originally planned for Monday, April 24 but has now been moved to Tuesday June 13, with another public hearing also added.
In a special notice, town leaders said that the delay was made due to requests from residents at a previous public meeting for more time to consider the issue at hand: whether to fund the existing police department or take a new direction and contract with an outside agency.
With vacancies for both Washburn’s police chief and sole full-time officer, town officials decided earlier this year that they should hear from the public on how to proceed.
At the special day-long vote now scheduled for June, Washburn voters will decide whether to hire police officers through the town or contract out police services with the Presque Isle Police Department, Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department or the Maine State Police.
If voters choose to contract out the service, town officials would then seek price and service quotes from the three police agencies and decide which to contract with, Washburn Town Manager Beverley Turner said previously.
In addition to the re-scheduled vote, there will also be another public hearing on the matter Monday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Washburn Elementary School.
