Selectmen approve temporary $23,000/month policing contract to serve Deering

The Hillsborough Board of Selectmen on Dec. 9 approved a temporary intermunicipal policing contract to provide patrol coverage and responses in the neighboring town of Deering.

Police Chief Chris Parsons told the board that Deering recently lost its police chief and other full‑time officers, and that since 2019 Hillsborough had been on an on‑call basis for Deering. Parsons said the town previously billed Deering about $4,000 per month for support but proposed a short‑term contract charging Deering $23,000 per month from Dec. 1, 2025, through April 1, 2026, to cover call responses and maintain a patrol presence. Parsons said he would track activity and requested that approximately $2,000 per month from the payment be placed into the department’s revolving account for equipment and increasing cruiser mileage.

"Without the agreement the department would be providing services for free," Police Chief Chris Parsons said. Parsons also noted that if Deering votes at Town Meeting to disband its police department, a longer‑term contract could include equipment transfers; two Deering cruisers are currently at the Hillsborough department.

Selectman Richard Pelletier asked who has authority to approve the contract and expressed concern about the possibility of using Hillsborough tax dollars to service another town. Chief Parsons said the Board of Selectmen has the authority and that, without an agreement, Hillsborough would effectively provide the services without compensation.

Chairman James Bailey moved to enter a contract for the Dec. 1–Apr. 1 period at $23,000 per month; Selectman Pelletier seconded and the motion passed.