NEWS | Commission approves scrapping Biddeford’s police and fire advisory committees

Some charter commission members described the two committees as antiquated, redundant, and no longer necessary.

By RANDY SEAVER | Editor

Members of Biddeford’s Charter Revision Commission took the first step Monday in potentially eliminating the city’s Police Advisory Committee and Fire Advisory Committee.

The Commission voted 7-1 to recommend removing both Articles Six and Seven from the Charter, but the city’s voters will ultimately decide whether the two committees will actually be eliminated.

**BIDDEFORD POLICE CHIEF JOANNE FISK** addresses members of the Charter Revision Commission | *Biddeford Gazette photo by Randy Seaver*

The two citizen committees were created by a previous charter change in 2016 as a way to provide additional oversight over the city’s police and fire departments.

Historically – more than 30 years ago — the two committees were comprised of elected members who wielded and sometimes used political influence about how the two departments were managed and operated.

In fact, former city councilor Bob Mills recalled members of the Fire Commission showing up at fires, flashing their badges and exerting some level of authority as emergency personnel were actively working to control the scene.

The elected fire and police commissions were scrapped more than 30 years ago and later replaced with “advisory” committee members who are today appointed by the city council.

The city’s website lists 35 different boards, committees and commissions, some of which are inactive.

Biddeford Police Chief JoAnne Fisk told the Charter Commission members that the monthly committee meetings were often “difficult and frustrating” for both her and committee members because of the complexities in how law enforcement agencies work.

“I don’t see the relevance for it anymore,” Fisk said of the Police Advisory Committee, pointing out that her department already has extensive third-party oversight.

Fisk said she could not accept input from “a body that doesn’t understand how law enforcement actually works.” She also said that having the committee charged with oversight creates a virtual third-party liability in confidential criminal investigations.

While Mills described the two committees as “antiquated and unnecessary,” Charter Commission member Richard Rhames cast the sole dissenting vote, expressing concerns about a consolidation of power by the mayor, city council and city manager.

“I wonder whether this is progress,” Rhames said. “I think the commissions served a purpose of providing checks and balances.”

Rhames recalled an incident several years ago, when the council wanted to make a change at the fire department, which was blocked by the Fire Commission. Subsequently, Rhames said the commission was “neutered” and replaced by a committee that is appointed by the city council.

Commission member Michael Swanton said the city should be operated more efficiently under its current management structure, mayor-city council-city manager. “You can have only one boss,” he said.

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