BETHEL — Selectmen will hear an
appeal from “currently unavailable” police Chief Alan Carr at
5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, in the town office.

But just what the nature of that appeal
is remained unknown as of Tuesday.

Citing employee-confidentiality
considerations, Town Manager Jim Doar has declined to get into
specifics about what happened in his office on Sept. 25 between himself
and Carr.

Doar’s explanation, so far, is that,
“Chief Carr is currently unavailable.”

While the chief is unavailable, Doar is
handling the administrative decisions, while the next ranking officer creates the weekly work schedules for officers.

Carr has not returned phone calls
seeking comment.

A clerk answering the phone on Tuesday
afternoon at Carr’s Oxford business, Western Maine Public Safety
Supply Inc. on Route 26, which he has owned since last year, said Carr had just
stepped out.

Carr’s cell phone does not accept messages and calls to his house in Albany Township have yet to be returned.

Bethel selectmen are also keeping mum
on the matter.

Doar has steadfastly refused to confirm
or deny persistent rumors that he fired the retired 25-year Maine
State Police trooper. The rumors began on Sept. 25.

However, the Bethel Citizen reported
Thursday that Carr’s desk at the Bethel police station had been
stripped of his personal belongings.

Doar said Tuesday that he’s not yet
sure if the Oct. 13 employee appeal meeting will be a public session
or closed-session. Carr has yet to make that distinction, he said.

Once the appeal is heard, Doar said
selectmen can vote that night and decide whether to back whatever
Doar did, or stand by Carr.

But one way or the other, they have to
make a decision within five business days of hearing the appeal, by
meeting in executive session, and voting when they exit the
closed-door session.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

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