LIVERMORE FALLS – Why aren’t the town’s American flags being flown at half-staff? Darryl Brown asked selectmen Monday night.

Brown listed the towns he had traveled through that day, and all of them had lowered flags.

He noted Livermore Falls had not lowered flags for some time, even on 9/11. “I think it ought to happen, it’s time,” he said.

Brown got no argument from the board, only an explanation that at least two of the flags can’t be lowered without the using the ladder truck. They agreed it was time to fix the poles.

Town Manager Alan Gove clarified Tuesday that the flags at the town office, Union Park and Richardson Cemetery are stationary on the poles because of previous theft and vandalism.

The flag that can be flown at half-staff is at the fire station, and it was in that position Tuesday, he said.

In other business, Chairman Bernal Lake answered Miriam Buchanan that the board has decided to cut the police department force by one.

“We will try to reduce the police force at town meeting, ” he said.

“We’re trying to reduce the tax rate, that’s the issue that’s thrown at us all the time,” Lake responded. An officer has resigned, he said, and not filling that spot would mean about $26,000 savings in salary plus another $13,000 in benefits.

Not filling the position would leave a five-man force, Chief Ernest Steward Jr., Lt. Tom Gould, and officers Rod Small, Ken Bryant and Maurice Drouin.

Selectman Bill Demaray explained that the board is not taking the money out of the budget until they see if the plan works.

After meeting with representatives of Community Emergency Services and Franklin Memorial Hospital, selectmen agreed to sign a three-year contract for the ambulance service. Included is a $10,000 increase in subsidy the second year and $3,000 the third.

“We’d have to change your service to lower you subsidy,” explained Jill Berry Bowen, FMH spokeswoman. “We know the subsidies are high, we just want to break even and provide the very best service.”

Berry Bowen told the board that FMH would like to create a partnership, working with the advisory boards of the various towns it serves. “We can put more energy into a three-year plan,” she explained in asking for the long-term contract. “We’re in this for the long haul.”