Police report cites rise in calls and ongoing work to address homelessness and riverside encampments

Speaker 7, identified in the meeting as the police chief, reported 466 calls for service in December, several arrests, and multiple assist requests to other agencies. The chief said officers are working with property owners to address camping and homelessness in river-adjacent areas and that officers sometimes provide transportation to locations requested by the individuals encountered.

Town members described a Thanksgiving incident involving an individual camping in a tent who was taken to a shelter but not accepted because of stored equipment; the chief or staff subsequently arranged transportation for that person. Board members discussed monitoring private properties where campers had been observed and placement of cameras on private property as part of patrol follow-up.

Separately, the board addressed ongoing open‑sewage complaints at a mobile home park. Members discussed jurisdictional limitations, the presence or absence of separate meters, the option of billing the park owner or placing liens, and the practical difficulty of shutting off water to individual trailers when meters are held by the park owner. Staff planned a follow‑up meeting with Michael, Gary, and Gerald to develop specific enforcement steps.

Board members asked for additional documentation, pictures, and options to pursue liens or other remedies; staff agreed to pursue the next steps and report back.