Highland still sorting
out mutual aid

By DAVID HULSE

ELDRED — After several prior discussions, Town of Highland officials were still trying to sort out when and where their constables are to assist other agencies.

The town board, generally speaking, doesn’t want the constables called out in the middle of the night for routine calls that other agencies don’t want to handle, and they don’t want them routinely spending patrol time in someone else’s town.

The constables say other agencies assist them and they would like to do the same in return, but they want a clear directive in writing.

The board and the constables haven’t been able to come up with compromise language that satisfies both sides. They got closer on February 12.

When Chief Constable Bob Maas again asked for clarification, Councilman Peter Lilholt said “if lives are threatened in Lumberland or Tusten and your assistance is requested, by all means, participate.”

“The key word is mutual,” Councilman Bob Burrow said,” Hell, you can’t build a wall around the town.”

Supervisor Allan Schadt, who in past had interpreted the board’s position to be that the constables should remain in Highland, then said “I believe the board is telling you that you can go; not to ride around, but in certain situations, yes.”

Justice Anthony LaRuffa, a former police officer, explained that routine things that prompt mutual aid calls, traffic stops and domestic disturbances, can be “the most dangerous things cops do.”

“If there’s imminent danger and if there is a need, GO,” Lilholt said. “Why do we need a mutual aid resolution?”

Concerned about damage to town property and other unforeseeable problems during mutual aid responses, Maas said later that he still wanted “something in writing.”

In other business the board:

• had a lengthy discussion about Realtor Fred Reber’s suggestion that the town purchase a portion of the former Robinson’s Sawmill for a new highway garage location;
• discussed the need for traffic control during services at St. Anthony’s R.C. Church in Yulan;
• heard Barbara Pratti’s complaint that eight months after her complaint and the formation of town board study committee, nothing has been done about logging regulation;
• approved $1,500 for renovation of the former ambulance company storage area in the town hall into a conference room;
• and approved $5,000 for preliminary engineering work at the town-owned proposed highway garage site near the senior citizens center.