GREENVILLE (AP) – The sheriff’s department isn’t following the lead of Maine State Police and Greenville police in billing Plum Creek Timber Co. for security at public hearings on its development proposal for the Moosehead Lake region.

The Seattle-based company, which has been a target of vandalism in Maine, did not object to the bills for tens of thousands of dollars.

But Piscataquis County Sheriff John Goggin says the security it provided is a public service.

He also says that billing Plum Creek for protection would amount to “double dipping” because the company already is a local taxpayer.

There were no signs of protests or vandalism at the first three hearings before the Land Use Regulation Commission, held this month in Greenville, Augusta and Portland. The fourth and final hearing is set for Jan. 19 in Greenville.