By Jami Badershall,Staff Writer

RANGELEY – The town will not add a third patrol officer to the Police Department, voters decided Thursday night.

Selectmen recommended keeping two patrol officers and Chief Phil Weymouth at a cost of $205,019, which is $29,385 more than the 2005-06 budget.

The Budget Committee recommended three patrolmen and the chief at $255,447.

“If you were satisfied last year with the police coverage, then vote for two patrolmen,” Selectman Richard Morton said. “If you felt that it was not adequate, then you should vote for three.”

Chief Phil Weymouth works 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, doing administration duties, and he patrols when he has the time, he said. The other officers work nights and weekends.

With a third patrol officer, Rangeley would be patrolled “24-7” by Rangeley officers instead of relying on the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and Maine State Police to cover the remaining time, Weymouth said.

“I think it’s time Rangeley takes care of itself,” he added.

When asked why the cost of two patrol officers increased by more than $29,000 in the past year, Weymouth cited increases in benefits, fuel and overtime.

Several items in the 2006-2007 budget increased, and the town voted to increase the property tax levy limit of $1,396,762 to cover them. Among the increases was general government, which went from $638,769 to $806,661. A large portion of that – $103,000 – was for the assessor.

Town Manager Perry Ellsworth said the increase would pay for a total revaluation, which will be completed by June 30, 2007. The property review will make sure that everyone is paying their fair share of property taxes, he said.

“I know it sounds like a lot, but it actually translates to a cost of $42.86 per parcel instead of an estimate of $75 per parcel from other firms,” he said.