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Commissioners consider countywide animal control as ACO calls rise
Summary
Administrator Tim Curtis said Somerset is on pace for about 2,250 animal-control calls in 2024 and presented regionalization models; Skowhegan Police Chief David Bucknam urged a full‑time county ACO with benefits and a dedicated vehicle. Commissioners tasked a committee to build a model for the FY2026 budget.
County Administrator Tim Curtis presented a letter from the Town of Norridgewock requesting the county consider a regional approach to animal control, saying Somerset is on pace to track over 2,250 animal‑control calls this year — up from 2,150 in 2023 and well above a three‑year average of about 1,850. Curtis said most towns appoint certified ACOs but many are stretched over several towns and lack backup coverage.
Skowhegan Police Chief David Bucknam told the board that Skowhegan keeps two part‑time ACOs when possible but that pay is a perennial challenge; "if the County hire ACO support it be a full‑time position with benefits with a dedicated vehicle," Bucknam said. Sheriff Dale Lancaster noted towns such as Madison rely on sheriff’s deputies to handle calls, a model he called unsustainable. The commissioners directed the County Administrator to convene a committee to develop a model and budget proposal for FY2026.
