LIVERMORE FALLS — Two selectmen volunteered to be on a committee on Monday to get a contract estimate from Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department to provide police services.

Voters in June approved a question to allow town officials to investigate options of police coverage services.

The final decision of whether to keep the local police force the way it is or go with the Androscoggin County agency will be made by voters.

Livermore Falls Police Chief Ernest Steward Jr. asked selectmen on Monday to start their investigation into a proposal now instead of next year before he loses his whole department.

He has already lost Sgt. Joe Sage to Rumford and other officers are exploring service with other agencies, he said.

“We cannot wait until July, we’re in a state of flux and it is not working very well with personnel,” Steward said.

Board Chairman Bill Demaray said selectmen need to get a committee together to go down and get an estimate on a firm contract to compare “apples to apples” for services the county would offer.

“The thing we need to decide is are we going to have the same coverage or less,” Demaray said.

Steward told selectmen that Sheriff Guy Desjardins said he was never contacted about putting a contract together.

For the sake of public safety, fire Chief Gerry Pineau advised the board to be cautious on going with less officers. The six officers, including the chief, are already stretched too thin, he said.

“Less police is not the answer,” Pineau said, when it comes down to life and safety.

“We need to make a decision,” Selectman Louise Chabot said. “This has gone on long enough. It’s demoralizing.”

Resident John Ross, also a Budget Committee member, concurred.

“I agree … police need a direction,” he said. “They deserve an answer.”

“It needs to be done soon or we won’t have a Police Department,” Selectman Ken Pelletier said. The decision needs to be made soon. If the cost is close, the town should stay with its local force, he said.

Once a contract is provided, they could take the proposals to the people for a public hearing, Demaray said.

Selectman Alphonso Barker suggested a subcommittee be formed. He volunteered to be the chairman and Selectman Jim Collins agreed to be on the committee.

Barker also suggested that two members of the public be on the committee.

Interim Town Manager Kristal Flagg said the town already has a lot of committees and not all members show.

Barker said he would be responsible for selecting motivated members of the public.

The Budget Committee recommended to reduce the Police Department last year in an effort to save money. Selectmen opted to go with a reduced budget but leave the number of officers intact. Voters approved the latter measure.

The Budget Committee voted in November to recommend that selectmen pursue a contract with Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department for police services.

Both the emergency dispatch and police departments have been on the block for several years. Voters agreed in September 2009 to close dispatch by a close margin for financial reasons. That service is now being provided by Androscoggin County.

Former Town Manager Jim Chaousis conducted a survey and analyzed data to see what residents want for police services prior to leaving in November. He held one public meeting, two were canceled, one for lack of attendees, the other because Chaousis had a commitment.

About 1.7 percent of the residents or 55 people gave feedback, Chaousis told selectmen last month.

But before he left, Chaousis presented his findings to selectmen. He recommended pursuing a contract with the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department for financial reasons.

However, Steward said he disagrees that the county could provide the service.

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