DIXFIELD – Selectmen on Monday agreed to serve as a source to gather community opinion whenever a state prison inmate applies for a furlough in town.
The decision came after a presentation by Michael Downs, a Department of Corrections employee, who said he usually handles two or three furloughs in Dixfield each year.
Although the furlough program is nothing new, he said he has been working to find a better way to efficiently gather community sentiment.
He said most furlough passes issued are for two days, and they are usually for locations within the town of an inmate’s family.
Town police chiefs are also notified, as are the prosecutor for the area and the prosecutor in the case for which the inmate was convicted and incarcerated, he said.
“The towns of Rumford and Bethel will put furlough requests on their agendas,” he said.
“If no one appears, then I could say there was no negative comment.”
Town Manager John Madigan said that by allowing the public to give an opinion on the proposed furlough, selectmen aren’t liable.
“Selectmen don’t make the decision (on a furlough), the Department of Corrections does,” he said.
Downs added that by making a furlough known to the public, more supervision is possible.
“This makes for a safer community,” he said.
Selectmen will list furlough requests on their regular twice-monthly agenda. Residents then can appear before them to give comment.
“This will keep the community informed of what’s going on,” said board Chairman Tony Carter.
If an inmate who has committed a violent or sex-related offense applies for a furlough, then Downs talks to neighbors living near the requested furlough visitation site, he said.
In other matters, selectmen:
• Approved hiring Heath McDonald as a reserve police officer.
• Set a special meeting for 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, to discuss the budget for the water and sewer department.
• Accepted the resignation of longtime Planning Board member Ralph Clarke.
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