LIVERMORE FALLS — At its meeting Tuesday, the Livermore Falls Board of Selectmen proposed eliminating the Police Department and contracting with the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office.

“I don’t know where they’re coming from,” Police Chief Ernest Steward Jr. said Friday. “I was totally blindsided by it.”

Selectmen instructed Town Manager Kristal Flagg to contact Androscoggin County Sheriff Eric Samson for more information about the cost of contracting police service. Samson will be at the selectmen meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, to answer questions about a service contract.

Chairwoman Louise Chabot refused to elaborate about why selectmen proposed doing away with the department or the options they were considering for policing the town.

“I really hate to comment until I know what’s going to happen,” she said Friday, adding that she needed more information before making a statement.

Flagg said Friday that she was concerned about how late in the budget process the selectmen were making the recommendation. The budget amounts must be set by early April so the town will have enough time to print the warrant articles and hold a public hearing on the budget, Flagg said.

Residents will vote on town meeting warrant articles by referendum in June. Last year, $415,807.87 was budgeted for the Police Department, and this year $537,624.22 was requested.

Sheriff Samson said Friday that he had spoken with Flagg and was gathering information about what a service contract with the town would cost. He explained that he would present a “worst-case scenario” so there wouldn’t be any budget surprises later.

Samson said the contract was complex and had to take into consideration the number of additional officers that would have to be hired to patrol Livermore Falls, how the current police station there would be used, what equipment would be needed, and other factors.

“They believe they can receive the same amount of police services they’re receiving now for less money,” he said. “If Livermore Falls chose to go that route, we would act as their Police Department. From my perspective, other than different signage and a different agency, you’re getting the same level of service.”

Samson said that while he was committed to providing the same level of police service Livermore Falls currently receives, he didn’t know yet whether it would cost more or less than the town pays its department.

He also sympathized with Steward and the situation he faced.

“Regardless of what happens, we will continue to work together,” Samson said.

Steward is worried about the town’s future, and the six full-time and 14 part-time police officers working for the Livermore Falls Police Department.

“It depends on what (residents are) willing to pay and the contract,” he said. “I don’t know what they’d gain from it.”

Livemore Falls’ population is about 3,000.

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