HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton Town Council started its June 22 meeting on a somber tone, holding a moment of silence for Jim Bell, a member of the town council who passed away unexpectedly just three days prior due to complications of liver disease.
“We will certainly miss Jim,” Town Council Chair Jane Torres said. “He was very wise and very kind, and I’m going to miss him.”
“He was just an upstanding member and a friend to be on this committee,” council member Eileen McLaughlin said. “I want to put my heartfelt sorrow and condolences to [his family and friends]. Please know how much of an impact he made in the short time that he was on the council.”
In official business, the town accepted funds totaling $32,621.90 from the town of Presque Isle for reimbursement for officer training and equipment costs, with $12,297 of that money going towards body cameras for police officers.
“I think it’s one of the most important tools in today’s law enforcement,” said Houlton Town Police Chief Tim DeLuca, who, like all participants, attended the meeting via Zoom. “We’ve seen time and time again that the body cams really provide a level of safety, not only for the officers, but all over the community.”
The funds from Presque Isle are part of a reimbursement agreement between the two communities after an officer, Nicole Dudley, left the Houlton department to join Presque Isle. Dudley’s training at the police academy was paid for by Houlton when she joined the Houlton force in May 2018.
“Part of those funds will be used to equip our new officers and for the actual academy expense, so we’re planning to put some of that back into our budget,” DeLuca said. “As far as the salary, I already have the salary in my budget so that’s not being paid, so I won’t need the full [$32,621] to rehire that position.”
In other business, Town Manager Marian Anderson announced that the town office would be closed to the public from June 25 to July 2 to install new renovations in order to comply with recommendations in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
