PARIS — The town will write a new agreement for police consolidation between the Paris and Norway departments and bring it to both towns for a vote later this summer.

At the May 14 meeting, selectmen pulled a merger vote from the town meeting warrant in order to get more information and make changes to the agreement. Former Selectman Ted Kurtz wrote up a list of changes the town would like to see, and Town Manager Phil Tarr agreed to draft a new agreement with Norway Town Manager David Holt using the list.

“I think the agreement needs to be rewritten, and the changes need to be incorporated,” Selectman Robert Kirchherr said. The draft will be prepared by the July 9 meeting. At that time, the board will schedule a public hearing. Kirchherr said he expected the start date of the merger will be around Sept. 1. The original date was July 1.

At the June 12 balloting, Norway voters approved a one-year trial consolidation based on a plan by Paris Chief David Verrier and Norway Chief Robert Federico. Both towns will have to sign the same agreement, which could require another vote on the merger in Norway.

There are several changes in Kurtz’s list. The original plan calls for one chief for both towns. The update names Federico as acting chief, as both chiefs had agreed, but says Verrier would be deputy chief and would automatically succeed Federico,  if needed.

It also says that if Federico and Verrier can’t agree on a particular policy, Lt. Walter Gryzb of the Maine State Police would be asked to mediate and to arbitrate the issue, if necessary.

Each of the towns would need to have adequate liability insurance, naming the other town’s police as an additional insured. Board Chairman Sam Elliot was concerned about higher costs for liability insurance, but Tarr said that wasn’t a concern.

treaves@sunjournal.com

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