Dover-Foxcroft OKs probation, parole move

DOVER-FOXCROFT – The local planning board Thursday approved a site plan that clears the way for probation and parole to rent space in the new Dover-Foxcroft police station on East Main Street.

The only opposition aired Thursday against the proposal was from Robert Berta, who lives on River Street behind the station. “I just think it’s a bad mix,” Berta said, referring to the probation office and the Thompson Free Library located next door.

John Battick, chairman of the planning board, told the approximately 25 people in attendance that the material being reviewed Thursday was a revision to an earlier site plan approved for the police station. The only difference reflected in the plan was parking for probation and parole.

Berta has appealed the planning board’s approval of the original site plan for the police station because he claimed town officials did not follow the local ordinance. The appeals board upheld the planning board’s decision. Berta then filed a complaint in Piscataquis County Superior Court. No hearing date has been set.

The parking area is too large and is in violation of the plan, Berta said Thursday, and he wondered aloud why the board would approve a second site plan when there was pending litigation on the first.

Dan Dixon, probation and parole officer, assured the audience there has been no trouble involving probationers at his office. He said 43 adults on probation currently report to him about twice a month. The crimes that the individuals have been convicted of vary, but include three sex offenders. The juvenile office also will be located at the site.

Dixon said his office is now renting space in a building about 200 yards from Foxcroft Academy. Before that, the office was located in the district court building, in the same neighborhood as the new police station.

Planning board member Cynthia Freeman-Cyr reminded the audience that those on probation are community members, some of whom may be neighbors. She saw no problem with the probation office relocating to the police station. “It seems like a natural to me,” she said.

Marion Perkins, an elderly woman who also lives on River Street and earlier was fearful about the move, said Thursday that she no longer opposes it. She said she moved to Maine to be safe and has been assured that the probation office would not create any problems for her. “I will drop the subject and see what happens,” she remarked.

Those on probation are being monitored in the community, Dixon said, and the police would provide an extra set of eyes for the probation office.

“I feel very confident in the police department,” planning board member Stephen Page said. “I’m glad we have a police department that serves us as well as they do.”