Police Chief Bucknam praises officers and shares training success in town meeting

The Skowhegan Selectboard meeting on June 24, 2025, focused on several key issues, including funding for local projects, staffing updates, and community safety initiatives.

One of the primary discussions revolved around the town's ball field project. A representative from the Maine Municipal Association (MMA) was consulted regarding the process of reallocating reserve account funds to support this and other projects. Concerns were raised about the current procedures, and the town plans to hold a special meeting to present options to voters once an official opinion is received.

In staffing news, the town is actively seeking to fill two open positions: one in the highway department and another for an executive secretary at town hall. Efforts to attract more applicants have been intensified after a limited response to the initial job postings.

The meeting also included an update from the police department, where Chief Bucknam recognized officers for their hard work in combating local drug issues. He highlighted a recent training session conducted by the FBI on threat assessment, which was well-attended by law enforcement personnel from various regions. However, he expressed disappointment over the lack of participation from school officials, emphasizing the importance of such training for community safety.

Additionally, Chief Bucknam reminded residents to stay hydrated during the extreme heat and urged pet owners to ensure their animals are safe in vehicles, warning that officers would take action to rescue pets left in dangerous conditions.

Overall, the meeting underscored the town's commitment to community safety, effective project funding, and the importance of filling key staff positions to enhance local governance.