Gouldsboro votersâ OK sought to explore alternative policing
GOULDSBORO â Voters once again will decide whether their town should continue to have its own police department or contract for law enforcement services from the Hancock County Sheriffâs Department at the annual Town Meeting June 9.
The persistent issue resurfaces in the wake of Police Chief John Shivelyâs May 4 resignation. Citing unfounded complaints lodged against him, Shively makes the townâs third police chief in six years.
At their May 6 meeting, selectmen voted 2-1 with one abstention to draft a warrant article asking voters to permit the board âthe option of entering into a contract for police coverageâ for the town of Gouldsboro with the Hancock County Sheriffâs Department.
Gouldsboro selectmen grapple with COVID-19 protocol
GOULDSBORO Should town employees risk losing workers’ compensation benefits if they opt not to be vaccinated and test positive for COVID-19? Must they sign waivers before traveling out of state, and self-quarantine unpaid for 10 days, if they come down with the coronavirus before their return? Should they lose their job or be suspended without pay if they fail to mask and socially distance when away from their workspace after repeated warnings?
These are possible rules, as part of a COVID-19 policy, that the Gouldsboro Board of Selectmen has wrestled with since the federal Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) expired Dec. 31, 2020. Under that law, both part-time and full-time employees catching the virus were entitled to paid emergency sick leave for two weeks and continued health insurance. They qualified for the emergency leave if ordered or advised to self-quarantine due to virus-related concerns or were experienci