Tremont awards policing contract to Southwest Harbor

TREMONT — During a fast-paced 90-minute meeting that was attended by approximately 135 people, Tremont residents made quick work of 48 articles of their warrant Tuesday, May 14, and resoundingly voted 102-19 to give a policing contract to the neighboring town of Southwest Harbor. The day before, voters rejected a short-term rental ordinance.

During the comment portion of Article 17, which was the choosing of a law enforcement agency to cover Tremont, most residents made it clear that they were not happy with the services previously provided by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.

One voter made the comment that the sheriff’s department had done a wonderful job in the past, but the expediency of Southwest Harbor’s police department due to its proximity to Tremont would be worth the extra $135,393.

Another attendee asked what the sheriff’s response time has been. Elected moderator Peter Madeira referred this question to Hancock County Sheriff Scott Kane who was in attendance.

Kane responded that it can vary depending on where deputies are at the time of the call and the time of day, but noted that they currently have a deputy that lives in Southwest Harbor. Kane clarified that the deputy who lives in Southwest Harbor is not always working or on call.

Resident Keri Hayes asked, “If we go with Southwest Harbor, will they be hiring additional officers?”

This time, Madeira referred the question to Southwest Harbor Police Chief John Hall, who was also in attendance.

Hall responded that they will not be hiring additional officers if they receive the contract, but that they should be up to full staffing by June. Hall also went on to explain that the contract was not for 24-hour coverage of Tremont, but 24-hour availability to respond to law enforcement-related calls.

A full contingent of officers for the Southwest Harbor Police Department is the chief, one lieutenant, and four patrol officers.

Just before the vote took place, Madeira asked for unanimous approval to hold the vote by written ballot and the approval was granted.

The agreement will give the town seven-days-a-week police availability at the cost of $336,393 for the next fiscal year. This is an annual fee. Another proposal by the Hancock County Sheriff’s department was hourly coverage for 45 hours a week at $86 an hour, totaling $201,000. The municipal budget, with this proposal, comes to approximately $3.59 million.

The school’s total budget of $4,804,301 increased approximately $400,000 from the previous year.

All 48 warrant articles passed.

This story was originally published by The Bar Harbor Story . To receive regular coverage from the Bar Harbor Story, sign up for a free subscription here .