DIXFIELD – Tension thickened at Monday night’s packed selectmen’s meeting when the topic of police policy amendments resurfaced for the second time this month.

Confusion also flashed across the faces of some selectmen, because they thought they had already dealt with the matter at the May 17 meeting.

But Town Manager Nanci Allard, who broached the topic Monday night, said that while the board approved two amendments by majority vote on May 17, selectmen hadn’t yet signed the documents.

Essentially, the amendments shift responsibility of the administrative functions of the police chief and police department to the town manager, in this case, Allard.

That seemed to upset officers and Chief Richard A. Pickett, who were either seated or standing at the back of the Ludden Memorial Library community room where the meeting was held.

The Nov. 7, 1988, town police department policy on the town manager, acting as chief executive officer, gave the town manager the ability to direct the chief “as need arises.”

It also made the town manager responsible for non-day-to-day functioning of the department, for carrying out any disciplinary action about the chief, and in allowing requests to the chief for information on day-to-day operations based on need.

At the May 17 meeting, Allard suggested that the language be clarified to read: “In accordance with State of Maine Statute Title 30A:2636, the town manager shall be responsible for the administrative functions of the police department.

“This includes, but is not limited to, work schedule and work hours with the approval of the Board of Selectmen. The town manager may delegate some or all administrative functions at his/her discretion, but shall retain overall responsibility.”

At Monday night’s meeting, Selectman Montell Kennedy grilled Allard about the May 17 meeting minutes, saying the minutes did not reflect a majority vote that approved the amendment.

Chairman Hugh Daley disagreed, saying there was a 3-2 vote approving the amendment with Daley, and Selectmen Eugene Skibitsky and Sandra Buchanan for it; Kennedy and Stephen Donahue against it.

Skibitsky then motioned to amend the minutes to clarify that a majority vote was taken. It passed.

The other police policy amendment replaced the first paragraph of the 1988 policy, which said the police chief is the chief administrative officer of the department and final departmental authority in all matters of policy, operations and discipline.

The amendment, which was approved by the same three selectmen, reads: “The Chief of Police is the chief operating officer of the department. This includes, but is not limited to, matters involving police standards and training and police procedures.

“Personnel matter will follow procedures as established through the Town of Dixfield personnel policy manual.”

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