Paris expected to vote Monday on contract

PARIS —  The board of selectmen is expected to vote on a police services contract with the Oxford County Sheriff's Office following an executive session at its next meeting March 11.

If the board affirms the proposal, it will be sent to voters for approval in a referendum vote that could be held as early as April. The board could also vote against the proposal, killing the idea.

During their February 25 meeting, board members voted to schedule the March 11 executive session with Sheriff Wayne Gallant, Chief Deputy Hart Daley and Interim Paris Police Chief Michael Dailey.

At the meeting, board members expressed concerns with the draft contract provided to them by Gallant, including future costs, loss of local control and staffing levels.

The confidential negotiations are intended to develop a proposal that will alleviate those concerns.

"There are some issues that need to be addressed in the negotiation process," board vice-chair Bob Kirchherr said Monday.

"If they can be addressed to everyone's satisfaction then it [the proposal] will probably move forward ... if they can't be addressed then it probably won't move forward," he said.

His preference would be for the board to make a firm decision on whether to send the proposal to a town vote or end it, Kirchherr said. The town is currently developing next year's budget and is due to negotiate a new contract with Paris police officers soon.

On Monday, Board Chair Sam Elliot said he expected the board to vote on the proposal March 11, but said he still had some questions about the agreement.

"Personally, I need more information," Elliot said.

If the board votes to move the proposal forward, it will go in front of voters in a referendum election.

According to Town Clerk Elizabeth Knox, if the board affirms the proposal, it can direct the town office to organize a ballot for a referendum after 45 days. According to state law, a public hearing on the referendum must be held at least 10 days prior to the vote.

That means Paris voters could be looking at a referendum in late April if the board votes to move the proposal forward.

The draft three-year proposal from the Sheriff's Office details six officers to the town. The cost for first year service is $638,480, then $495,328 each consecutive year.

By comparison, the next year's proposed Paris police budget is $591,392.

The Sheriff's Office option is supported by some residents who see it as a way to save money and keep services.

Others, including Paris police officers, oppose the proposal, saying the discussion has hurt department morale, believe it would cost the town local control over its police force and worry they will not be rehired by the Sheriff's Office if the contract is approved.