Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Hancock County will keep deputy in academy on payroll after Stonington cancels patrol contract
Loading...
Summary
After the Town of Stonington voted to end its patrol contract, Hancock County commissioners agreed to keep Deputy Dylan Pung on payroll through academy training and deferred a final staffing decision until closer to his graduation.
ELLWORTH, Maine — Hancock County commissioners agreed March 17 to keep a patrol deputy on county payroll while he completes academy training after the Town of Stonington voted to discontinue its contract with the sheriff's office.
Lt. Dakota Dupuis told the commission that Stonington's budget meeting produced a 27-25 vote to discontinue the town's contract, effective January 2026, which threatens the position of Deputy Dylan Pung. Dupuis asked the county to retain the deputy so the county did not lose the investment made in training him and so he could finish the academy.
Commissioners approved a motion to defer formal action until the deputy is closer to graduation and asked Dupuis to revisit the matter in late May or early June 2026. The motion passed 3-0 (Clark/DiBella). The county did not take immediate additional personnel action beyond allowing Pung to continue his employment and training.
Next steps: Lt. Dupuis will return with options for retaining the deputy after graduation; commissioners will revisit the staffing decision then.