Chief Putnam has ended the Wells Police Department’s participation in the 287(g) memorandum of agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, effective immediately, a statement read to the Board of Selectmen said.

Town Manager Mike Pardue read the statement on behalf of Chief Putnam at the Oct. 21 meeting of the Wells Board of Selectmen, saying the department had pursued a “wait and see approach” but that, “Considering recent events over the weekend and with the safety of Wells residents and visitors as our priority, I have made the decision to withdraw from the participation in the 2 87 g program with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”

The memo said the Wells Police Department will continue to “support our federal partners and uphold the law as appropriate,” but that its “involvement in the MOA 2 87 g task force model is hereby terminated effective immediately.” The chief was not present; Pardue read the memo because Chief Putnam was at training.

The announcement was presented to the board as an administrative decision by the police chief rather than as a motion or formal vote by the selectmen. The transcript of the meeting does not show the selectmen voting to approve or reverse the chief’s action.

A select board member, speaking during the selectmen’s comments later in the meeting, praised the decision and said the chief had taken public feedback into account over recent weeks. The board member did not move or second any formal action on the MOA during the meeting.

The department and town manager said in the statement that officers will continue to “support our federal partners and uphold the law as appropriate,” language the chief used to distinguish ending the MOA from ending all federal cooperation.

The selectmen did not take additional formal action on the MOA at the meeting; the statement was entered into the public record.

The withdrawal will be effective immediately, per Chief Putnam’s statement read by the town manager; the selectmen did not record a separate vote undoing or endorsing that decision at the Oct. 21 session.