LIVERMORE FALLS — Selectmen voted 5-0 Tuesday to purchase a security camera for the Town Office.

Interim Town Manager Stephen J. Gould said it would cost less than $1,000. He said the camera was necessary for staff safety and so police could be alerted.

Chairman Heather Bronish said she was concerned about customer privacy.

Gould said the camera wouldn’t record sound.

Additionally, Gould said that getting bars installed to cover open space in front of the office where employees work would provide additional safety.

In another matter, Police Chief Ernest Steward Jr. and Lt. Joseph Sage said they are concerned about the condition of police vehicles. The department has a 2016 cruiser, a 2014 cruiser with 120,000 miles on it and a 2011 cruiser with 110,000 miles on it.

“This would be the year we would normally swap vehicles out,” Steward said.

Sage said there were nights when two officers would be riding in one cruiser because one vehicle was unavailable because of mechanical problems.

“It’s a waste of resources to have two people in one car all night long,” he said.

Normally,  cruisers need to be replaced when they reach 100,000, Steward said.

Gould, who used to work as a reserve police officer for the department, said, “There’s enough to worry about without having to worry about whether your car’s going to start.”

If a car is replaced, Steward said, it would be the 2011 cruiser. The 2014 vehicle would be used as a backup.

In another issue, resident Susan Wilkins said she was fed up with the barking dogs at a Campground Road residence next to hers. She said she got a copy of the town’s dog ordinance, and called police to see if there was anything they could do. They told her to call Animal Control Officer Larry Lord, who said his hands were tied because the neighbor had a dog kennel license.

“I don’t see why his rights should overshadow mine,” Wilkins said.

Selectmen said they would investigate further to see if there was any action that could be taken.

In other business, selectmen:

• Voted unanimously to continue the contract with Peter Castonguay for use of his garage on Hinkley Hill to store firetrucks until fire station renovations are completed. The cost is $833 per month; and

• Set the next board meeting for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17.

bmatulaitis@sunmediagroup.net

Livermore Falls Town Office

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