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Select Board presses police on fees and liability, reviews welfare, camping and personnel-policy updates
Summary
At the Jan. 6 work session the town's Select Board debated a draft police fee schedule and liability for paid services, reviewed welfare guideline updates and three approaches to a public camping ordinance, and heard that personnel-policy revisions will be distributed for further review.
At a Jan. 6 work session, the town's Select Board focused on administrative items including a proposed police fee schedule, revised welfare guidelines, options for a public camping ordinance and upcoming personnel-policy revisions.
Police Chief Jon Woodworth distributed a draft fee schedule. Select Board member Leon Rideout questioned whether charging for certain services — such as unlocking a vehicle — could expose the town to liability if damage occurs or if an officer is unavailable after a resident pays. Woodworth said the department uses a release-of-liability form signed before officers unlock vehicles. Rideout said he opposed charging for some services on grounds of public perception.
Board members also examined how the department charges for details. Select Board member Shane Beattie asked whether the current detail rate covers all costs; the board requested a detailed per-hour cost accounting that includes staffing, taxes and fees so members can evaluate whether proposed rates are adequate.
Town Manager Jessica Cyr reviewed updates to the town's welfare guidelines. Select Board member Kathy-Jean Lavoie asked whether Cyr had spoken with Bailey's Funeral Home about amounts paid for burial or cremation; participants said those amounts are believed to be set by statute, but the statute was not named in the session.
On public camping, Cyr described three common approaches she had reviewed from other communities: 1) an ordinance that defines town properties and allowed uses, 2) treating use as special events requiring permits, or 3) allowing overnight camping only at specified locations with written permission. Beattie asked whether state or federal law requires the town to allow camping; the board was told it is not required by law. Cyr asked members to review the options and to return the issue for future discussion.
Cyr also distributed revisions to personnel-policy definitions and said she will continue providing sections of the policy with proposed changes at each work session.
What happens next: The board asked for a cost breakdown for police detail rates and for the police chief to continue work on fee and ordinance drafts. Welfare, camping and personnel-policy updates will return for future review.
