DIXFIELD — After a closed session at Monday’s board meeting, selectmen voted unanimously to expunge the record of terminating police Chief Richard Pickett, Town Manager Gene Skibitsky said.
Pickett was terminated by former Town Manager Tom Richmond on June 30, 2008, which resulted in approximately 30 days with pay and 30 days without pay, according to Pickett.
The disciplinary hearing and action were taken because Pickett was “alleged to have said some things at a town meeting,” Pickett said. “It was on my record. There was never any admission on my part. I never did anything wrong,” he said Wednesday.
“I have a 36-year record without a blemish. I wanted the record expunged.” Pickett had planned to file a lawsuit against the town before his reinstatement as police chief.
He served with the Maine State Police for many years before becoming Dixfield’s police chief.
Skibitsky declined comment because he was not leading the town at the time of the incident.
In other matters at Monday’s board meeting, Skibitsky said owners of seven properties that may become acquired by the town for not paying property taxes or sewer or water fees, will have another chance to pay before the town takes them. He said the owners have 30 days to pay in full. Unpaid taxes and fees on the properties total $47,106.
Also, Skibitsky said the Maine Department of Transportation is asking people whether they know of any historical significance of a section of the town that extends 0.55 miles east of the bottom of Hall Hill. The department is planing a construction project along that section of Route 2 sometime in the next year or two. Anyone with historical data should contact Skibitsky at the town office at 562-8151.
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