NORWAY – Town Manager David Holt told selectmen Thursday night that he hopes an idea to share police services with Paris will move forward, despite Paris selectmen’s decision this week to delay a one-year trial.

“I feel bad this opportunity may be missed,” Holt said.

Holt said it is not easy for towns to develop plans such as this because it is done so publicly and therefore receives a lot of public discussion. The ballot question going to Norway voters June 12 asks if they wish “to share police services with the town of Paris for the coming year.

“It was a pretty general, simple statement … I’m sorry others read this differently,” Holt said. He referred to conversations that ensued in both towns because of the proposal.

Holt said because the annual town election ballot and town meeting warrant have been approved by the board and printed, the question must remain on the ballot. But because Paris selectmen decided Monday to hold off until they get more information, Norway’s vote will be meaningless.

Norway police Chief Rob Federico and Paris police Chief David Verrier had been working on a plan to share police services for the past several months.

They met with selectmen of both towns on April 2 to discuss the merger. A one-year trial period, beginning in July, has been proposed followed by a vote by both towns to permanently merge the town departments.

The plan would have Federico leading the force.

Both chiefs have said the merger would provide better coverage, allowing the towns to keep two officers and one supervisor on duty at all times. Three detectives would be assigned to cover drug crimes, property crimes and crimes against people.

Holt said earlier that the projected savings are as little as $10,000 but the chiefs and he agree the level of service and coverage would improve significantly.

Norway selectmen had supported the plan as a way to save money and resources.

The plan initially encountered an unanticipated delay when Paris officials decided to investigate whether they should go with Oxford County law enforcement services such as Bethel did when it disbanded its police department two years ago.

On Monday, the Paris board said they prefer to get more information before bringing the idea back to a vote. Paris has set up a public hearing for June 4.

ldixon@sunjournal.com

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