By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Although there is more data to review, contract language to be revised and a few more questions likely to be posed, the idea of the Bridgton Police Department providing service to neighboring Harrison picked up positive steam Tuesday.

Gathered around the table, officials from both towns along with BPD Chief Rick Stillman and Sgt. TJ Reese engaged in a free-flowing conversation as to the advantages and disadvantages of the proposal.

Listening in the audience were County Commissioner Sue Witonis along with two Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office representatives.

As the workshop neared its conclusion, officials started to expand their thought process, wondering if there might be other areas the two towns could partner, thus reducing duplication and ultimately save taxpayers’ money?

“Things aren’t getting any cheaper,” Bridgton Board Chairman Lee Eastman said. “So, we have to find ways to keep costs down and this might be one way. If this works, I hope we can do this more often.”

Right now, the focus is on police coverage.

Harrison is currently on a yearly contract with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, which the town pays over $124,000 to gain the services of a “local” deputy for 40 hours per week. The town purchases a cruiser every four years. The one that is retired often becomes a Town of Harrison vehicle, Pellerin noted. If Harrison contracts with BPD, the cruiser would be purchased by BPD, outfitted (costs to Harrison) and be part of the BPD fleet (including “Bridgton Police” on the doors).

One advantage of moving to BPD coverage, Harrison Town Manager Tim Pellerin and Selectman Rick Sykes noted, would be a more “random” law enforcement presence, as well as closer proximity, both from a response standpoint and administratively.

Bridgton selectmen were eager to hear data and comments from BPD Chief Stillman.

“It sounded interesting,” the chief said regarding when Pellerin contacted him regarding a possible coverage contract. Chief Stillman sees the arrangement as one avenue to address a real need for a second “day” officer. Under the contract with Harrison, BPD would be able to hire a 10th officer, who is part of BPD. The chief or his sergeants — TJ Reese and Phil Jones, who would gain some management experience by assisting with Harrison’s coverage — would schedule patrol time in Harrison.

Unlike the current CCSO local deputy coverage, the time frame is regular — and local folks know it, Pellerin noted.

Some quick data points:

• Harrison averages 1,100 police calls per year; Bridgton is about 5,000.

• Motor vehicle stops and citations in Harrison reach about 800; in Bridgton, it’s between 1,200 to 1,600 annually.

• Presently, BPD officers go to Harrison 50 to 60 times per year to help CCSO as backup or as initial responders until a deputy arrives. Chief Stillman noted that CCSO does the same for Bridgton 150 to 200 times a year, and the two departments have a “good working relationship.” Both towns pay Cumberland County taxes, thus do receive CCSO coverage, regardless if a new agreement is reached.

• Coverage area, Harrison consists of 37 miles, Bridgton 64.

• Population, Harrison 2,800; Bridgton 5,400.

Questions & Comments

• Bridgton Selectman Carmen Lone, “I’d like to make this happen. It’s a positive for both communities.”

• Bridgton Selectman Bear Zaidman looked to gauge time officers would be spending either making traffic stops or having to go to court for Harrison cases?

Chief Stillman said the average time spent at a traffic stop (depending on the situation) is between 10 to 15 minutes. Regarding court appearances by officers, in most cases BPD is represented on court day by Sgt. Reese, which he is scheduled to do. Sgt. Reese noted that it is rare for an officer having to spend time in Portland courts, because deals are often struck between defendant and the district attorney’s office.

• Town Manager Pellerin said, “The beauty of contract, this provides us with random time delivery of service and allows greater opportunity for police protection; we’ve worked well together on other mutual services. It’s a natural opportunity.”

• Chairman Eastman asked if other municipalities are partnering up for police services?

Bridgton Town Manager Peabody said Rockport and Camden share a police chief, and some patrol area for the last two years. “It’s worked out well,” Peabody said. “When I was there, they looked at combining both departments. There was no windfall of tax savings so everyone pulled back and kept local control. A few years later, they went to sharing a chief and an assessor.”

Eastman also asked whether the proposed contract price adequately covered costs and if Bridgton would realize a profit?

“I don’t want to look like a greedy guy, but I want to be sure we’re not overspending,” Eastman said.

“I believe we’re ahead of game at this particular level,” Chief Stillman said. “Probably $15,000.”

Pellerin said the $124,000 figure is what Harrison has used, but also officials understand there will be increases.

“We anticipated those things, and wanted to show you this olive branch that we want to be a good neighbor, a good partner. We’re serious and we want to work together with you,” Pellerin said.

Peabody noted that there are “soft costs you can’t always calculate” such as administrative time, payroll, work on car which Bridgton does in-house. Both managers agreed that good communication between the towns can address adjustments needed.

• Eastman questioned what would be the chain of command?

Peabody said Chief Stillman would be the point person, unless there was some type of administrative or employee issue, which would land on Peabody’s desk and then Chief Stillman would be brought in. As far as emergency situations, Chief Stillman (or if he designates Sgt. Reese or Sgt. Jones as the person in charge) is the point person.

“I do want to pursue it; it could end up being a poster child for things to come,” Eastman said. “We need to work out the finer details.”

Zaidman agreed that regionalization may be the way to go — an approach he saw as advantageous during his fire service years.

Bridgton Selectman Bob Murphy said, “I’m definitely in favor of having this happen; it’s great.”

Selectman Fred Packard, “It’s win-win for both towns; nothing is perfect; I have a little more thinking to do on this, but generally, I’m in favor. Shared services is coming this way. How many people can afford to purchase $1 million apparatus when there is a duplication just miles down the road? I know there are some bugs to work out, but we’ll continue with the process to get it done.”

Officials will look to fine tune language in the proposed contract — some items that no longer are in play, such as officers delivering meeting packets to selectmen. They will also look at more numbers.

“It’s not our money, it’s taxpayers’ money, so we need to know we did our due diligence how money is being spent,” Eastman added.

Pellerin pointed out that he starts working on the next CCSO contract in February, so there is a time element in trying to get a deal hammered out soon if Harrison is to implement a change in coverage provider in the next fiscal cycle.

When the question was raised about entering a one-year deal to see how it works out, most agreed there is a major investment (hiring an officer, etc.) by both sides thus making more sense for a three to four-year contract, which can be reviewed yearly if tweaking is needed.

Once more information is collected and the contract language is cleaned up, the two sides plan to meet again.