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Skowhegan voters approve funding for two new police officers after heated debate
Summary
Town meeting amended a $376,258 request for three new police positions to $251,000 for two officers and approved the revised amount after extended debate about staffing, call volume and costs.
Skowhegan — Voters at the Town of Skowhegan’s annual town meeting on June 9 approved funding for two new police positions after more than an hour of public discussion and a successful amendment to the original request for three officers.
The original article (Article 5) asked the town to raise and appropriate $376,258 for three proposed police officers. After residents and elected members questioned the size and timing of the increase, an amendment to reduce the request to $251,000 for two officers passed by voice and counted standing vote (106 yes, 53 no). The amended article was then approved by the meeting.
The debate centered on whether the department needed three additional hires now and how those hires should be used. Chief Dave Austin defended the request, saying the department is operating at capacity and needs more hands to maintain service levels. “We are drowning right now. My officers are doing everything they can to provide you the best police…
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