Board discusses need for security system

WEST PARIS — The town's transfer station and ballfield have experienced break-ins and it has prompted the town to look into some type of security system.

The need for a security system at different town locations was discussed by selectmen at their June 14 meeting.

Town Manager John White said the town is waiting on a price quote from Great Falls Security before making a motion to purchase one.

"We need to know what it's going to cost," agreed Selectman Wade Rainey.

Selectman Dennis Henderson said he discussed the break-ins with the county as well as the state and learned that "the best thing to do is put up cameras," –  versus signs –  "to try to put an end to it that way because, the more proof you put out there to stop it, the more damage you're going to get."

"There's definitely a crime problem in the small towns around Norway and South Paris," said White.

Selectmen agreed that while installing a system is necessary, it is not a town priority.

White said there are "other, bigger problems at the ballfield right now, like flooding."

He said that Becky Secrest, Oxford County Commissioners clerk, who presented the board with the County Hazard Mitigation Plan at the previous meeting, would be in contact with EMA about whether the flood would qualify as a mitigation project.

If it does, the town could be eligible for grant money, which selectmen have said would be helpful.

In other news, the board:

• Scheduled a public hearing for the revised General Assistance Ordinance amendments during the next selectmen's meeting June 28 at 5 p.m.

• Reported that work on the Tuelltown Road including ditching, culvert replacement and grading will continue next week.