Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department will continue assisting Boothbay Harbor with police coverage. On May 2, commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with Boothbay Harbor retroactive to April 15 and continuing through Sept. 30. The agreement calls for county patrols covering up to 50 hours per week. 

Boothbay Harbor Police Department is currently down to two full-time officers. One is new chief Doug Synder, and the second is patrolman Larry Brown who is on medical leave. For years, BHPD has struggled to fill open full-time patrol jobs. The short-staffed department is relying on reserve officers and assistance from the sheriff’s department to maintain 24/7 coverage.

Last fall, the department and town entered into a “handshake deal” for additional coverage, according to Town Manager Julia Latter. Under the expired agreement, Boothbay Harbor did not pay for additional patrols. The new MOU includes compensation for dedicated service patrols at overtime rates ranging between $34.42 and $59.78 per hour. Mileage rates are 65.5 cents per mile. The sheriff’s department estimates weekly costs for 50 hours per week and 100 miles per shift ranging between $2,049.60 and $3,316.50. 

On March 29, Boothbay Harbor selectmen and county officials agreed to the following terms: The sheriff’s office will provide dedicated services to Boothbay Harbor and would only leave town for an approved emergency, and would notify the BHPD unit on-call. The county will continue standard coverage for up to 30 hours per week at no cost. County patrols agree to remain within town limits of Newcastle, Edgecomb, Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor when providing standard coverage. Patrols would leave the area only during an approved emergency call.

BHPD agrees to notify of any schedule changes no less than 30 days in advance for vacations and other planned leaves. Either party may cancel with 30-day notice. The MOU may be extended beyond the six-month period with a written agreement. 

During the May 2 commissioners’ meeting, Brackett explained the difference between dedicated and contracted services. The MOU only pertains to contracted services. “Standard services are provided to each county municipality per Maine law. We budget 30 hours per week (standard services) for every town. This agreement has no impact on that,” he said. “What it does, it provides additional contracted services for up to 50 hours per week to Boothbay Harbor,” he said.

Currently, county patrolmen average about 50 hours per week. Brackett explained patrolmen work four 10-hour days, and can sign up for more work on their days off. “I have no control on how much overtime each patrolman works. It’s all written in the contract,” he said. “It’s all voluntary. There will be no mandatory overtime. We will provide dedicated coverage as long as patrolmen volunteer.”

Based on the current labor market, Brackett described all Maine law enforcement agencies as having difficulty finding personnel. He is not sure whether Boothbay Harbor can find enough new officers by fall. “We will take another look at it in September. Maybe they can hire two or three more officers by then,” Brackett said.

Snyder said the number of hours worked by reserves varies each week. The department has one sergeant’s and three patrol jobs open.