FARMINGTON – The board of selectmen unanimously approved filling an empty position at the Farmington Police Department Tuesday evening, in addition to upgrading the department’s database.
Stephen Gould of Jay will be the department’s newest patrol officer, having previously worked as a dispatch officer for the Maine State Police. Gould currently serves as a reserve police officer for both Jay and Livermore Falls’ departments. Police Chief Jack Peck, in making the recommendation to the selectmen, said that Gould came from “exceptional stock.”
“I’d be proud to have him come on board,” Peck said.
Gould was asked by selectmen what his goals were, if approved for the position.
“Overall my aspirations are to stick around,” Gould said. “I look forward to the opportunity to serve people in the town and be able to participate in the already stellar reputation of the department.”
In related business, selectmen voted in favor of upgrading the department’s obsolete, Unix-Based database. The upgrade will install a new record management system meant to store all archived police records since 1992 in an Intelligent Management Center. The expected cost of installation is approximately $8,000.
Selectmen also recognized the retirement of Reserve Officer Conley Gould, who was stepping down after 22 years of service. Peck thanked Gould for his commitment to the department.
“Even when he was working his 40 and 11 other jobs, he always assisted us every time we asked.” Peck said. “He is our last reserve officer. Once Conley retires, we’re no longer going to have a reserve force.”
Peck went on to compliment Conley on his carpentry skills, awarding him a glass-topped case, noting that “this is the first time he’s had a shadow-box presented to him that he didn’t make.”
Conley Gould thanked the board and his fellow officers, stating “As long as I’m able to, I’ll continue to help as much as I possibly can. I still feel like they’re part of my family.”
In other business, selectmen also discussed the prospect of installing a new natural gas pipeline in the town of Farmington.
“Right now, we’re trying to a sense of how much heating oil could be displaced by natural gas to make it worthwhile for large companies in the state that supply gas to become interested in the area.” Town Manager Richard Davis said “It could be a big economic development factor because of the substantial reduction in people’s heating oil costs.”
Further applications of natural gas discussed included the powering of electrical turbines through gas compression. Selectman Ryan Morgan noted that, despite speculation to the contrary, the gas transported in the pipeline would not have been produced locally through “fracking,” a process of extracting fuel from rock formations.
“This will be an established pipeline,” Morgan said “This gas is coming from storage in Jay.”
Davis said that the utilization of local recreational trails could cut installation costs in half and eventually even lead to the restoration of a bridge across the Sandy River.
“The trails will not be damaged once the pipe-line is installed.” Davis said. “It’s hard to really find a down side to bringing natural gas to the area.”
Additionally, the board voted down a request by Community Concepts, Inc. and Kennebec Behavioral Health to place an article requesting funding on the town meeting warrant for 2013.
“I don’t feel that it’s our responsibility to fund outside agencies,” said Selectman Drew Hufnagel. “We’re having a hard enough time funding our own departments.”
The meeting began with an acknowledgement from Chairman Stephan Bunker regarding the annual award for the Maine Fire Instructor of the Year, which was given to Farmington Fire Rescue Lt. T.D. Hardy. The award was created in memory of Marc Bellefeuille who passed away last year after a 30-year career as an instructor.
A job well done by Conley, thank you for your years of service! (We’ll still see you everywhere else!)
Welcome Stephen:-)
Welcome to the force Stephen Gould!
Do we get to call you Robo Jr ? Congratulations Steve.
Good job well done Conley. I will miss you. Congratulation to Steven Gould on your appointment to the Farmington police officer. You look alot like your dad. Wishing you the best of luck in your new job for Farmington Police Department. Jack you make excellent choices and you have one of the greatest police departments in the area.That is my own opinion.
It takes a Gould to replace a Gould ! .. Congratulations to you both , one coming and one going . I have worked with Conley for meany years and very proud to call him a friend ..
Like father like son. Why to go Stephen. God’s speed. Be safe.
THANK YOU, Selectmen, for refusing to allow ANOTHER non-profit to ask for tax payer funds on the town warrant! They get enough from the State and the Feds. And if they need additional funds, they need to figure out a way to raise those funds without putting their hands in my pocketbook!!!