DIXFIELD — The Board of Selectman was told Monday night that a new police officer has been hired through the federal community policing grant program.

Chief Richard A. Pickett introduced Dustin Broughton of Rumford to the board, saying he would be a credit to the community and staff. He said Broughton’s first day on the job would be Wednesday.

The new position was created after the Dixfield Police Department was awarded a federal Community Oriented Policing Services grant to fund it for up to three years.

Broughton had been a Mexico Police Department officer for approximately five years before he resigned in 2010.

Pickett said Broughton had been at Husson University to continue his education in criminology before applying for the position in Dixfield. Broughton has also served the town of Dixfield as a reserve officer.

The board was pleased to learn that Broughton was already certified as a police officer and the town would save by not having to send a new hire to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro.

Also during the meeting, Dan McKay of Dixfield asked if the board had intentions of moving forward with a wind ordinance he presented last month.

McKay said if the board wasn’t going to take action, he would start a petition to have the ordinance placed on the ballot in June.

“I would rather have it go to the people, to petition it and have it vote on,” he said.

Town Manager Eugene Skibitsky advised the board and McKay that he believed because the town had already voted on the issue of drafting a wind ordinance, selectman may not have to honor a petition on the matter.

McKay said he believes it is still an important issue and since the previous town vote many citizens have educated themselves about wind projects.

McKay said he hopes to hold multiple informational meetings about the ordinance during the petition process so others can educate themselves about wind power.

Selectmen Norine Clarke and Steve Donahue questioned if McKay had received legal help when writing the ordinance. McKay said he had not but would, if needed.

Clarke and Donahue had previously drafted an ordinance and said the time and funding for the project was high due to a need for legal advice.

Selectman Malcolm Gill said if he was to support any wind ordinance, it would be the one Clarke and Donahue had drafted.

McKay was also asked if there was a committee that helped to create the ordinance. He said he was the sole author but he had received help from various persons and had conducted a large amount of research on the topic.

The board decided to take no action and to allow McKay to start a petition.

ecox@sunjournal.com

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