Select Board approves lease allowing police to use downtown substation; officer to patrol afternoons and evenings

The Skowhegan Select Board on Aug. 12 authorized the town manager to sign a lease with Skowhegan Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) for a downtown substation that will house a community police officer and the downtown camera system.

Chief Bucknam and other staff described the plan as a pilot to increase uniformed foot and bike patrol presence in the downtown. The proposed schedule is Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 10 p.m., with the officer making broader rotations that include the Margaret Chase Smith School, Coburn Park and municipal parking areas.

The agreement gives the town use of the space with no rent for the first year; years 2 and 3 would carry proposed rent of $500 per month. The building will also host camera monitoring for the downtown camera network so the officer can view footage from inside the substation.

Chief Bucknam said the mere presence of a community officer helps deter disorderly behavior and that the station will create more direct contact between businesses and the police. He said the officer will coordinate with downtown business owners and hold quarterly meetings with business stakeholders to tailor patrols and problem-solving.

Board members discussed operational overhead and noted the first-year waiver gives time to assess effectiveness. Chief Bucknam said the position is one of the officers approved at town meeting and that he will staff the post.

Select Board members voted 4-0 to allow the town manager to sign the lease; they said they will review the station's effectiveness after the trial period and can terminate the lease with 30 days' notice if needed.

The board also discussed that year-2 and year-3 costs would be accommodated through the department budget if the program continues beyond the rent-free first year.

Vote: motion passed 4-0.